Annual Blessing of the Helmets in Portugal
Thousands of motorcyclists gathered at the Fatima shrine in northern Portugal for the annual Blessing of the Helmets.
Unlike typical motorcycle rallies, this event features communion wine and hymns played on a church organ, rather than beer and rock 'n' roll.
- An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists attended the event.
- The pilgrimage, now in its 10th year, seeks to provide spiritual protection from the Virgin Mary to bikers riding on Portugal's roads.
The strongest tipple is a sip of communion wine and the music is strictly hymns set to a church organ.
Leather vests creaked as riders walked around the shrine dedicated to the three shepherd children who saw an apparition of the Holy Virgin.
Author's summary: Motorcyclists gather for spiritual protection.