Today Co-pilot and I checked out the second annual “Blessing of the Bikes” held in the lovely wrought iron-enclosed courtyard of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in NW Portland. Over 45 people of all ages were there, some on gleaming new steads, others on rattly old clunkers that would require a strong faith to ride. Fortunately for us, everyone was welcome without regard to religious beliefs, although the gathering was held in the “Catholic tradition.”
An opening song, prayer of blessing and reading of the words of the Prophet Ezekial was followed by a concluding hymn and the sprinkling of the bicycles. (I gleaned the names for the proceedings from the program we received when we arrived.) The prayer was simple. For “those who use these bicycles may travel safely and with care for the safety of others.” Then the priest made his way around the group, sprinkling our bikes with holy water while we rang our bike bells in a cacophonous chorus.
I can’t say the ceremony moved me any closer to organized religion, but it did remind me that we need to be kinder out there on the road and watch out for others. And to the cranky, cranky woman who yelled at me last week for pausing too long at a stop sign as she passed me without using nary a brake lever – this blessing was for you too. Amen.
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