Did you know that you can have a bicycle blessed in a Catholic Church?
You’ve probably seen cars lined up in churches, with their opened engines, waiting to be blessed by the priest. Well, you can have the same blessing with your bicycles too.
Blessings of the vehicles are usually done by individuals because their faith tells them that the Holy Spirit will help them keep safe on their journeys as they use it. Some also believe that this could drive bad spirits away. It’s somehow similar to why people get their houses, or practically any precious possessions, blessed.
Antipolo Cathedral, which is also called the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, is a popular cycling destination. Many visiting bikers, aside from attending mass from its vast open space, take the opportunity to have their bikes blessed in this church since they’re already there. Well, motorcycles and cars go here for the blessing too.
You see, the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or the Black Madonna traces back its roots to the galleon trade where Spanish traders brought this Marian image to keep them safe in their journey. This is perhaps the reason why the Antipolo Cathedral is flocked by devotees seeking guidance and benediction regarding travel-related matters.
That’s also why its popularity with cyclists makes sense, even with drivers of motorized vehicles.
In one of their many crazy adventures, the boys of Super Ultra Panks had their bikes blessed in Antipolo Cathedral. The process was easy: they went to the registration area, filled out a form, went to the Church’s office to submit it, gave monetary donations and waited for their turn to have their bicycles prayed over.
The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan, a popular Church where cars go to have their vehicles blessed, welcomes bicycle blessings too.Someone told us that perhaps it is popular for vehicles because drivers usually use
Cyclists can go directly to the Minor Basilica’s Gate 5 and ask directions from the security guard to direct them to the blessing area. There’s no payment but one can opt to donate through the donation boxes. Bicycles, along with other vehicles, are blessed every after mass.
Sto. Domino Church in Quezon City is doing it as well. However, because Metro Manila is currently placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, one has to call and ask for details regarding blessing requests.
We believe that most churches, if not all, can bless bicycles. Our suggestion is just go to your preferred church, go to their office and inquire for the process.
