Walk with Christ in 2023
By Josh Low
The annual Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession will this year be held on Sunday 11 June for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1324) as the “source and summit of Christian life”, we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist and Christ’s Real Presence on the Feast of Corpus Christi.
As the Eucharist is carried through the streets in solemn procession, the Christian people can give public witness of their faith and show devotion toward the Holy Eucharist.
In 1993, Pope St John Paul II told young people at World Youth Day to “not be afraid to take Christ to the streets”.
Thirty years later we are continuing to do so, and in a literal way, nonetheless.
Having commenced in Hobart in 2015, this year’s Walk with Christ procession will follow previous years, seeing the Blessed Sacrament processed from St Joseph’s Church in Hobart along Harrington Street up to St Mary’s Cathedral.
Archbishop Julian said the Walk with Christ initiative had begun in Sydney as an idea borne out of the Year of the Eucharist established by John Paul II in 2004.
“It really is just taking up what has been a very rich and strong tradition in the Church since the 13th century of Eucharistic processions.
“It is a way of us celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi in a very public way, and an opportunity for us to give witness of our belief that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.
“In the present climate in our society, it’s very important that Christians do give public witness to our faith, which also helps to remind people in our society that there are Christians who both believe in and live the Christian faith,” he said.
Walk with Christ 2023
Date: Sunday, 11 June 2023
Location: St Joseph’s Church, Hobart (65 Harrington St, Hobart)
Time: Arrive by 12.30pm for a 12.45pm start
Long-term parking near the Cathedral is available at the Hobart Central Carpark in Melville St. Please note the carpark closes at 4.30pm.
Participants unable to participate in the Procession are invited to come to St Mary’s Cathedral at 1.30pm to take part in Eucharistic Adoration and concluding Benediction.