Diocesan News
Maranatha, the first annual faith-based high energy music for Post-Primary Schools in the Diocese of Cork & Ross. Pic: Brian Lougheed
The Diocese of Cork and Ross was delighted to host the highly successful Maranatha 2025 event, held in a packed City Hall this March.
Students from over 20 post-primary schools across the Diocese took part in what marked the first of an annual celebration of music, faith and community.
Maranatha was created to bring young people together to celebrate faith and identity through music and have fun at the same time, offering a full day of activities and connection before culminating in the evening concert.
The energy and enthusiasm of the students made the inaugural event a memorable occasion — and plans are already in place for its return on Thursday, 26th February 2026.
The Diocese of Cork and Ross is set to host this year’s Eucharistic Procession - a tradition that has spanned over nine decades in Cork heritage
The idea of taking the Procession through the streets of Cork emerged in the years after the War of Independence and the Civil War in a bid to heal division. The first Procession through the City streets took place on June 6th, 1926, with tens of thousands of people participating.
The 2025 Eucharistic Procession will be officially launched on Wednesday, May 14th at 6.00pm in the Visitors Centre in the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne - the North Cathedral.
Bishop Fintan Gavin has extended a warm invitation to representatives from parishes and faith community groups to come together at the launch. Music will be provided by 20 youth singers.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Bishop Fintan Gavin said; “The Eucharistic Procession is of huge significance to the people of Cork City and beyond. It’s 99 years since the first Procession which brings our communities together through faith. It was wonderful to see such remarkable numbers participating last year despite the challenging weather.
“This year, to accommodate the growing numbers, we are taking the prayers and benediction back out onto the streets with a specially constructed platform on Grand Parade. I’d like to invite individuals and groups from across the city and county to be part of the celebration. I look forward to welcoming you to the launch at the North Cathedral.”
The Eucharistic Procession, which will take place on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025. The procession will commence at 3 p.m. from the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne. Last year, almost 4,000 people participated in the Procession with attendees spilling out onto the streets. This year is set to be even greater.
To facilitate the increasing numbers taking part each year, the liturgy and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on a specifically erected stage and altar on the Grand Parade.
99th Cork Eucharistic ProcessionA group of fifty young people will travel to Rome with Bishop Fintan at the end of July to join hundreds and thousands of other young people from around the world for the Jubilee of Youth pilgrimage
The group gathered in Mardyke House for the first of several preparation and formation sessions. There was a palpable sense of excitement and energy as they explored the difference between holiday and pilgrimage, and learned about the significance of a Jubilee year, which happens every 25 years.
The Jubilee of Youth offers our young people an opportunity for our young people to deepen their faith, meet the Pope and join with young people of faith from all over the world.
There is a small number of places still open - if you know a young person in your parish, please contact Sheila Kelleher at youthministry@corkandross.org
Gathering at Mardyke House
Mass in Cork for Pope FrancisCork’s Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne drew people from across the city and beyond to pray at Mass for Pope Francis.
The special solemn Mass was held on Friday evening and was celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin and concelebrated by priests from parishes, religious orders and chaplaincies.
The Mayor of Cork City Councillor Dan Boyle and the Mayor of County Cork Councillor Joe Carroll were present and brought forward the offertory gifts during the Mass.
Bishop Fintan said that he was fortunate to have met Pope Francis several times.
“Reflecting on this in recent days I am struck by the fact that Pope Francis always finished those encounters with the same request “Prega per me”, “Pregate per me” -- Pray for me, Pray for me.
“That is exactly what we are doing here this evening – we are praying for Pope Francis as he goes home to the house of the Father. We pray for the repose of his soul and commend him to the mercy of God which was such a central theme during his pontificate.”
The Mass at the Cathedral was one of several Masses in churches across the diocese for Pope Francis.
Online Book of Condolence is open
Following the announcement by the Holy See that Pope Francis has ‘returned to the House of the Lord’, Bishop Fintan Gavin invites the people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross to unite in prayer to God at this time.
“I invite the parishioners, priests, deacons and religious of our diocese to join as one with the faithful across the globe as we commend Pope Francis to the Lord.
We give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of Pope Francis as shepherd of the people of God and we thank God for his selfless service and dedication to the end of his earthly life.
We remember Pope Francis as one who challenged us to reach out to those on the margins and to bring God’s mercy to all those we encounter.
We pray together that Pope Francis’ call to all of us to make this Jubilee Year a Year of Hope may be fulfilled.
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