The Blessing of the Bikes

Chicago IL

05 May, 2021

2:33 PM

Description

As the warmer weather approaches, more motorcyclists take to the road. There are 8.3 million registered motorcycles in the country. Despite only accounting for 3 percent of all registered vehicles, motorcycles make up 14 percent of traffic-related fatalities each year. The Blessing of the Bikes is an annual tradition in which priests bless riders of motorcycles in hopes it will keep them safe for the year. First held in 1999 in New York, the service is non-denominational, focusing more on safety than religion, although it does include prayers and holy water. As The Blessing of the Bikes spread across the country, it also expanded to include bicycles. Several years ago when I owned a Honda scooter, I always attended a Blessing of the Bikes event. Photo courtesy of Patricia LaCroix - LaCroix Creative On Saturday, the Knights of Columbus Council #12173 sponsored a Blessing of the Bikes open air mass on the northwest side of Chicago. The parking lot of St. Francis Borgia filled with motorcycles of all types on this beautiful day. In a move befitting a movie opening scene, Fr. Gary Graf rode in on his motorcycle before officiating the blessing. In addition to the actual service, there was plenty of socializing as riders from all over exchanged stories, while checking all the cycles. Proceeds from the Blessing of the Bikes benefit the Chicago Police Department Chaplains Ministry, the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, St. Borgia Parish and the Knights of Columbus – St. Michael the Archangel, Patron of Police – Council #12173. Grand Knight Dennis P. Fitzgerald described the event as a big success, especially for a first time event. He added it is intended to become an annual event. Photo courtesy of Patricia LaCroix - LaCroix Creative Sanctioned in 1998, the Knights of Columbus #12173 is the first and only one of the 17,500 Councils to be a Police Council. It is comprised of 650 members, with a total of more than 20,000 years of combined law enforcement service. While the vast majority of members are in law enforcement, it is not exclusively such. The Knights of Columbus #12173 assists 26 charities. A special commemorative patch and pin were designed for this Blessing of the Bikes. Many riders immediately added the pins to their vests or jackets. Photo courtesy of Patricia LaCroix - LaCroix Creative May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. As much as the Blessing of the Bikes is wonderful event for riders, it also serves as a reminder for other drivers to look out for our two-wheeled friends on the road. Let's keep everyone safe on the roads to our destinations.