Every year, there’s a point on the Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession that never fails to leave Fr Josh Miechel’s speechless.
“As we turn that last corner at the end of Macquarie Street, I always look back and I’m just gobsmacked by all the people. Each time I get goosebumps There’s so many! It’s always more than you think. And I think, ‘Wow, God is really loved here, God is doing something special here,” shared Fr Josh, the parish priest at St Peter Chanel and St Joseph’s Church in Berala.
As Sydney prepares for the annual Walk with Christ Eucharistic procession on 22 June, Bishops, parish priests and deacons and seminarians across Sydney are preparing for more of those faith affirming moments in what has become one of Australia’s most powerful public demonstrations of Catholic faith.
“To be a Christian is to walk with Christ,” adds Auxilliary Bishop Richard Umbers.
“Christ who is ‘our star, our map, our road’. Walking together in prayer, following Jesus Christ is a powerful show of faith,” he said.
As he prepares for this year’s annual Feast of Corpus Christi Festival and Procession, Bishop Richard reflects on its growth.
“There’s been a big increase in the numbers of people who come into the city for the Corpus Christi procession,” noted Bishop Richard.
“It’s always been popular, I think, because we’ve been giving more practical help for parishes get to the procession as well. We’ve been putting busses on for parishes and the parishes have been supporting it, so much so, we had 15,000 people last year. This year we would love to see even more,” he said.
“As far as I can remember, while I’ve been a priest, I’ve always tried to bring a group from the parish,” Fr Josh shared. “It’s an amazing opportunity for them to publicly profess their faith, stop the streets of Sydney and join other Catholics unified to walk with Christ.”
It’s this unification of joy, faith, strength and pride through the streets of Sydney’s CBD, that has a profound impact on its participants every year.
“One of the great things about the Walk with Christ Procession and bringing all those people together is to realise you’re not alone. When we see such a large manifestation of faith, of thousands of people of faith who are prepared to go out and say ‘God matters’, it gives you great faith and hope for the future,” said Bishop Richard.
Fr Josh believes the procession also offers a unique evangelising opportunity for those looking on. “Often the city is full of a lot of tourists. People who have no idea what’s going on, except they work out, these are Christians. These are Catholics. There’s clearly something God is doing in their heart. And they’re in awe.”
For Fr Josh himself, participating in the procession as a priest carries special meaning. “I’m proud I’m there with my brothers, and I’m proud of my brothers, and I’m proud to be one of the priests of Sydney walking through our streets with Jesus,” he shares.
One of those brothers is seminarian, Cronan Yu.
The Eucharistic procession holds special significance for seminarians like Yu, who are in formation for the priesthood, giving them a glimpse into their future ministry centred around the Eucharist.
“As seminarians, we’re preparing for a life dedicated to the Eucharist,” Yu explained. “Participating in the procession helps us connect more deeply with this central mystery of our faith.”
For Yu’s fellow seminarians, the Walk with Christ has become a highlight of their formation year.
“We often discuss how moving it is to see families, elderly parishioners, and young people all walking together,” Yu noted. “It reminds us of the diverse community we’re called to minister to.”
The procession also serves as a reminder of the Church’s living tradition. As seminarians walk alongside bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful it connects them to centuries of Catholic devotion.
“There’s a beautiful humility in processing behind the Blessed Sacrament,” Yu shared. “It puts everything in perspective—Christ leads, and we follow.”
With Sydney set to host the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, the annual Walk with Christ takes on added significance as spiritual preparation for this global gathering.
“Like with anything, a lot of the fruit of it depends on the preparation,” Fr Josh notes. “It’s really important to participate, so that other people have the chance to see what we have and to desire it, and to begin entering into it themselves.”
Bishop Richard echoes this call to action, inviting Sydney’s faithful to join him and his fellow clergy in preparation for the IEC in 2028, adding that “it’s a way for everyone to not only join in, but to also contribute the best of what they have in terms of sacred art, in terms of their abilities to create, to show their liturgical creativity as we prepare for the IEC in 2028. It’s a real cultural high point in the expression of giving glory to God.”
Walk with Christ is on 22nd of June with a festival beginning at 1.00pm in Martin Place. The procession begins at 2.30pm sharp from the corner of Martin Place and Pitt Street.
