Church offers bikers chance to sanctify bikes

The Rev. John Burton (right) of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Windham, Conn. blesses the Rev. Deacon Scott Stevens of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and his motorcycle with holy water during a ceremony to bless riders and their motorcycles in Plainfield April 25. (Tali Greener - GateHouse News Service)

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PLAINFIELD, Conn. – After being involved in a motorcycle accident two years ago, Plainfield resident Scott LaPorte changed a lot of his riding habits.

“I always argued with my wife about wearing a helmet,” LaPorte said. “I happened to be wearing a helmet that day and it was a real safety measure. Now I wear my helmet all the time.”

LaPorte was not seriously injured, but the accident made him want to take extra steps, which brought him to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday for the Blessing of the Bikes.

After a short liturgical ceremony on the lawn of the church, around 45 bikes were blessed individually by church officials with holy water and a short blessing.

The Rev. Eleanor Applewhite Terry, the church’s vicar, said the church began the event last year because several parishioners ride motorcycles and as warmer weather approaches, so does the season for riding.

“It just seemed like a natural opportunity to reach out to the community and offer our blessing,” Terry said.

Terry said the ceremony provides a link between the church and spirituality and the beauty of God’s creation the riders see when on their bikes.

“It’s a good way to start the season, with a blessing,” said Plainfield resident Joyce Bryant. “Keeps you safe the rest of the year.”

Bryant, a member of the committee for the event, said while the blessing is spiritual, it also serves as a reminder to riders to be safe throughout the year.

Bryant said safety tips she offers to other riders include wearing a helmet, sturdy shoes and long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect skin in the event of a fall, though she said she hopes the blessing prevents the falls.

Plainfield residents Ron and Mary Jane Lussier said they always wanted to have their motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson Road King, blessed for religious reasons, though they take other safety precautions in the form of wearing helmets and performing regular bike maintenance.

“It’s a secure feeling,” Ron Lussier said of receiving the blessing.