"Do this in memory of me"
Corpus Christi
Cobh
22 June 2025
My friends,
Across Europe and the so called ‘Western World’ there is a decline in religious practice. In some ways it is not surprising – because the West is also the most prosperous and wealthy part of the world and wherever in history that the general population has become better off their sense if the need for God and things spiritual seems to diminish.
It has happened in Ireland in a generation. The closure of Churches during Covid seemed to be a final “nail in the coffin”, as people who had previously been faithful to personal participation at Mass became convinced that the experience of ‘live streaming’ was the same as attendance at the Mass, which, of course, it is not.
Certainly, for people who are sick and infirm the live streaming of Mass to their home is a wonderful blessing as it allows them and us, we who are gathered here to be connected in prayer. However, for those of us who are blessed with health and mobility our call is to gather in person – in response to the Lord’s invitation to “Do this in memory of me.”
The recent events in Rome with the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo due to the blessing and ingenuity of technology, enabled a global audience Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, Buddhist and all other faiths and more to witness the importance of faith in the lives of people from every nation on earth. It was wonderful to see.
However, for most it was a religious spectacle which did not necessarily touch their lives and hearts. It was for those who chose to be there in person most probably the experience of a lifetime. It was a moving faith filled encounter with fellow pilgrims whose names or language they did not know but shared their faith and trust in Gods abiding presence to the world.
My friends, today we share with fellow Catholic believers the celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi – the promise of Christs presence to the world through the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist or Holy Mass. Placing the focus on the shared celebration of the Holy Mass, as the Church continually must, is to say constantly that one’s attendance is not for yourself alone but also for one another to know the grace, strength, fortitude, patience, generosity, compassion and honesty that our celebration together makes real. Our reverence for the Eucharistic presence comes from a personal expression of faith and love in silent prayerful devotion.
Sadly, many have neglected this precious sacramental gift – which means its graces and blessing is not being felt in their lives and families. Today we pray for a renewed appreciation of the Eucharist, of Holy Mass in this parish of Cobh and our diocese.
After Mass today we procession to the Garden of Reflection for Benediction in the course of which we will consecrate anew our to the Sacred Heart.
Archbishop Eamon Martin will be doing so more formally in Knock today. We join with him in that prayer of dedication.
“Dear brothers and sisters, we are living in a time of great need for God - for faith, for hope and for love. Our age presents many challenges to our faith, to our families and indeed to the deepest core of our humanity. But as a pilgrim people filled with great love and hope in this jubilee year of graces, while recalling the promises of the Sacred Heart made known 350 years ago to St Margaret Mary, we have chosen to renew the consecration of our country to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as its secure refuge from all dangers - visible and invisible. We are mindful of the previous consecration of Ireland in 1873 and of how for many decades Ireland was especially faithful in honouring the Sacred Heart in homes and families around the country. This was nourished by many branches of the Apostleship of Prayer, the recitation of the Morning Offering, and with confraternities and churches dedicated to the Sacred Heart. In this Jubilee Year of Hope we now pray, through the intercession of St Margaret Mary and St Claude de la Colombière, that this renewal of our consecration will bear much fruit in Ireland - spreading a fervent love of the Sacred Heart and inspiring families to live in fidelity to the sanctifying and healing flames of that love. We also pray that it will bring about a powerful rejuvenation of mission to proclaim the Good News in our country and beyond. We ask in prayer that every home and parish will be permeated with the graces flowing from the Sacred Heart, and with that merciful love which is a special protection of all life. May the Sacred Heart always be Ireland's pledge of salvation, and be the remedy of all hearts that are frail, wounded or broken in any way. May Ireland be a place where everyone experiences the joy that comes from a heart to heart encounter with Christ, an intimacy that renews faith, inflames love and strengthens hope. May the people of Ireland, at home and around the world live once again in holy intimacy with the Sacred Heart that removes all fears, that brings heavenly consolation in times of suffering, and that strengthens us to persevere as a pilgrim people of the love and hope through which we are saved. Let us pray the prayer of consecration...
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Saviour of the world, Gathered together in Your Name, we consecrate to your Most Sacred Heart: ourselves, our home, our family, our parish, and Ireland our country. We are in great need of your love and protection. You have invited us to come to you, especially those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and you have asked us to remain in your love. We turn to you today, from the depths of our hearts. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus we place all our trust in you. We desire to be close to your beating heart which is on fire with the Holy Spirit, and is burning with love for us. We weep to see your wounded heart, crowned with thorns and pierced through on the cross for our sake. We find comfort in your forgiving heart which lights the way to the home of our merciful Father, who loved us first. We draw life from your compassionate heart from which flowed blood and water - the wellspring of the sacraments, of grace in the Church and the source of eternal life. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, nourish our lives with your Word, with the strength of the sacraments, and especially with your Body and Blood in the Eucharist - the sacrament of love. Carry us in your heart. May each of our names be written on your heart, engraved in letters of love. Have mercy on our suffering world in which you chose to dwell as one of us. Pour out the treasures of your light and love so that our world may regain the most important and necessary thing of all: its heart. We believe that the world can change, beginning with hearts that are close to your heart. Be alive and at work in us so that we may radiate faith, hope and love especially for the poor, the suffering and those who are most in need...
May your Sacred Heart continue to pour forth the streams of living water that can heal the hurt we have caused, strengthen our ability to love and serve others, and inspire us to journey together towards a peaceful, just, and fraternal world. Lord Jesus Christ, King of love and Prince of peacе, reign in our hearts, our homes and in Ireland, our country. Conquer all the powers of evil and bring us to share in the victory of your Sacred Heart. May all we say and do give glory and praise to you and to the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. O Jesus through the most pure heart of Mary we offer you all the prayers, works and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart. O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, transform our hearts to be like yours. Amen”
