Published: Less than 3 hours ago
Hundreds of New York cyclists took part in a ceremony at Saint John’s Cathedral on Saturday where they were sprinkled with holy water to protect them from the dangers that threaten the city.
Cyclists in racing suits stood side by side with ordinary bike commuters to be blessed by the priest Patrick Malloy at Saint John’s Cathedral in New York and thereby be protected from accidents and dangers during their bike rides in the city.
– May you always have the wind at your back. May all your paths be filled with joy. May the Lord keep you and your bikes in His hand, Father Malloy said during the ceremony in Manhattan.
Patrick Malloy walked down the aisle of the church and sprinkled holy water on the cyclists after he read a few well-chosen passages from the Bible.
– Nothing will happen to your bike today, Father Malloy announced to the congregation.
When the cyclists received the blessing, they applauded and jingled their bells.
The bicycle blessing, which is open to everyone regardless of religion, is a popular ceremony that has been held for 25 years at the cathedral.
New York encourages residents to cycle, both for the sake of the environment and for their own health, but cycling in the city is fraught with risk.
According to the city’s transportation authority, 17 cyclists died in New York in 2022 and so far this year, 13 cyclists have died.