Record numbers make Walk with Christ an awe-inspiring display of faith and unity

Under blue skies and despite a winter chill, Sydney witnessed an awe-inspiring display of faith, unity, and devotion as the Walk with Christ procession drew an unprecedented crowd of an estimated 20,000 Catholics celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi. 

On 22 June, just after 1pm, thousands began gathering in Martin Place for the pre-procession festivities, creating an atmosphere of jubilation and pride as musicians and singers including the Jubilate Deo choir sang well-known hymns and the sacred sounds of Gregorian chant echoed throughout the CBD.  

They filed out of train stations and filled nearly 40 buses from parishes across the archdiocese to arrive in the city centre for the event.  

Students from numerous schools carried vibrant banners, their excitement testament to the booming revival of faith among younger Catholics.  

Before long, the enormous crowd was ready to witness to Christ present in the Eucharist. 

At 2.30pm, the atmosphere became reverent when Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, accompanied by auxiliary bishops and other clergy, entered Martin Place with the Eucharistic Lord in a monstrance.

In their thousands, people began processing behind the Lord down Elizabeth Street, eventually winding their way to St Mary’s Cathedral.  

Passersby paused, captivated by the sight of so many people unified in devotion. A sea of believers of all ages and representing all nations, sang hymns, recited the rosary and other prayers as they walked together. 

Mark Sarmiento attended with his wife, Myrna and their five children, Dolby, Keziah, Amelie, Harland and Marlee. 

“It just gets bigger and bigger and it was such a blessing to again be a part of the walk with my family this year. We brought the in-laws this year and they loved it,” he said.  

Having attended for the last 15 years with his family, Sarmiento noted the increased attendance compared to previous years. 

“It was the first time that we actually carried our church banner, which was quite incredible, because people from our community found us, and then we ended up walking together. Before we would always walk separately, but this time we actually walked as a church community,” he said. 

For religious co-ordinator with Corpus Christi College in Maroubra, Sebastian Szafjanski, the afternoon was significant as each year grade was represented for the first time. 

“It was huge. We brought more students than ever before and there was joy in all of their faces. I got chills looking back on Hunter Street at the tens of thousands of people behind you, you couldn’t help but just stop and be in awe of the sheer size and strength of the faith on display today,” he said.  

“Sydney came out today,” said John Francis, who attended with students from La Salle College in Bankstown.  

“The weather was perfect and it was great to see. It was absolutely unbelievable, the amount of people that were there, the most I’ve ever seen. From young families to children, to older people, all the different cultures, it was a great event,” he enthused. 

Also in attendance were a number of members of parliament: Susan Carter MLC, Aileen McDonald MLC, Damien Tudehope MLC, Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott, and Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston

In the forecourt of the cathedral after the procession, Archbishop Fisher stressed that Christ is the only truth.  

In an age of “fake news,” in a world where we want to live “my way,” our path is only found through finding it in Christ, he said. 

It was a message that spoke deeply to Francis and his students.  

“It was the perfect message for our time. In a time of artificial intelligence, he told us that what is truth, is constantly being blurred. He told us that we live in a community where individuality is celebrated, it’s all about ‘me, me me.’  

“But we can and must use our individuality to strengthen our Catholic community,” he said.  

Sebastian Condon, Deputy Chief Operating Officer from the International Eucharistic Congress 2028 (IEC2028) Committee emphasised that the boom in numbers attending this year’s Walk with Christ serves as a prelude to the transformative blessings anticipated at IEC2028. 

“Joining together for great events like Walk with Christ or the IEC in 2028 is crucial because they serve to highlight the fundamentally shared nature of our faith,” Condon explained.  

“As Christ has given his Body and Blood for us, and is present to us in the Eucharist, so we too should give our lives for him and be present to him.” 

The success of the Walk with Christ Procession has given the entire Catholic community in Sydney a renewed sense of purpose and hope, as it looks forward to the upcoming International Eucharistic Congress.  

Condon underscored this vision, stating, “In a world that is rife with division, the startling sight of a great multitude from all walks of life – and all parts of the globe – receiving with shared reverence the Blessed Sacrament is one that should cause many observers to stop in their tracks and, hopefully, will draw many back to the altar of the Lord.” 

The archdiocese is grateful for the sponsorship of Catholic Cemeteries and Crematorium.