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Thousands of motorcyclists converge on Portuguese shrine for annual Blessing of the Helmets
['Associated Press', 'Paul Brandeis Raushenbush', 'Amber Hacker', 'Tom Levinson', 'Rev. Amanda Henderson', 'Catherine Jarry', 'Jim Wallis', 'Sarah Pessin']
RNS
FATIMA, Portugal (AP) — Over the weekend, an estimated 180,000 members of Portugal’s motorcycling community converged on the Fatima shrine for the so-called Blessing of the Helmets.
Thousands of motorcyclists converge on Portuguese shrine for annual Blessing of the HelmetsFATIMA, Portugal (AP) — Motorcycle rallies have a reputation for beer drinking, rock ‘n’ roll and perhaps the odd brawl.
Over the weekend, an estimated 180,000 members of Portugal’s motorcycling community converged on the Fatima shrine for the so-called Blessing of the Helmets.
Leather vests creaked as riders walked around the shrine dedicated to the three shepherd children who saw an apparition of the Holy Virgin.
But the rally’s highlight was the blessing, when priests walked through the sea of leather-clad pilgrims and sprinkled holy water on the helmets held aloft.
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