“Saint Christopher. We believers call on you to avoid accidents on our journeys, protect us on our journeys and long journeys”. With that call, Deacon Frank van der Geld ensured that hundreds of motorcyclists can safely use the road again this season.
The motorcycle blessing, which attracted more than two hundred motorcyclists from all over the country, was in the hands of Motorclub Laurentia from Milheeze. A tradition that had been shut down for two years by corona.
“Help the injured in accidents on the road, be our protector”, Van der Geld asked Christoffel, the patron saint of travelers and road users. The motorcycling deacon himself was also blessed with the holy water brush.
“I’m a fair weather rider. I ride about ten times a year. Many other bikers have more experience,” he says. “But I did enjoy coming with the bike myself today.”
Riding a motorcycle is much nicer than driving a car, says the deacon. “The smell, you get everything when you drive along the fields. You can travel in many ways, but on the bike you are connected with nature and it makes for wonderful friendships. A short drive, on the terrace for coffee and cake and on again.”
Not all in attendance believed that the blessing was beneficial. “I don’t think it helps, but it is a nice event and we have beautiful weather,” said one of the motorcyclists present.
“I don’t believe in it myself, but it’s nice to experience. We have agreed with each other for the last two years, but it’s great that you can now officially go on the road with a large group,” says another .
The chairwoman of motorcycle club Laurentia prefers to ride alone with her husband or in small groups. “I like that better than driving all behind each other,” said chairwoman Willemien Relou, who has been riding a motorcycle for 21 years now.
“Such a blessing is just part of the tradition. And it’s nice for my mother because she always worries. You are vulnerable on the road.”
Does the image of tough motorcyclists fit in with a church blessing? “I have a small heart, we are not that tough”, she laughs.
She is far from planning one last trip. Even though patron saint Christopher also offers help there. “Be our protector and be near to us as we go on our last journey – hopefully it will be a long time,” the deacon asks.