Thousands of Catholics including a strong contingent from the Diocese of Parramatta, filled the streets of Sydney’s CBD on Sunday 22 June for the annual Walk with Christ Eucharistic procession, held on the Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
The 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
Western Sydney was well represented, with pilgrims from across the Diocese walking in prayer and unity as a public witness to their faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Participants included groups of parishioners from Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, St Marys; St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta; the Secular Franciscan Order (St Maximilian Kolbe) Kellyville; the Secular Institiute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Mulgoa; Padre Pio Parish Glenmore Park; the Somascan Movement of Australia; the Western Sydney Chinese Catholic Community and the Maronite Eparchy of Australia – among others.
Members of the Somascan Movement Australia during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
Sisters of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, Mulgoa are seen outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
Parishioners from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
Parishioners of Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park, outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
The procession was a powerful expression of reverence, devotion and hope in the heart of the city.
Following the rosary and hymns sung along the way – with the Blessed Sacrament raised in a golden monstrance – the crowd gathered outside St Mary’s Cathedral.
The crowd outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
There, a sudden hush came over the crowd as the monstrance was placed on the altar and the Gospel of John was proclaimed: “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:55).
It emphasised an important passage from the Gospel of John: the mystery of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.
The monstrance is placed on an altar outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
In his homily, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP reflected on the deep longing many carry – often seeking fulfilment in fleeting experiences or self-made identities – yet still feeling restless.
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you,” he said, quoting St Augustine of Hippo, a converted saint and Doctor of the Church.
He encouraged the faithful to be open to Jesus and to live as “living tabernacles” in the world.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney, incenses the monstrance during the 2025 Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession outside St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2025. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Catholic Weekly/Supplied
Across Western Sydney, churches including Glenmore Park and Our Lady of Częstochowa Catholic Church Marayong, also marked Corpus Christi with local celebrations of prayer, adoration, procession, and folkloric groups – each one a testament to our shared belief in the living presence of Christ among us.
Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) celebrations in Marayong. Image: Henry Iglinski.
Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) celebrations in Marayong. Image: Henry Iglinski.
These gatherings were a beautiful foreshadowing of what lies ahead, as Sydney prepares to become a tabernacle for the Eucharistic Lord when it hosts the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028 – the first time in a century this global event will return to Australia.
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their faith so joyfully.
