Blessing Of Bikes Takes Place in Burlington County

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Hundreds of motorcycle drivers and riders gathered at the Masonic Village in Burlington Township recently to support a local business and also receive a blessing before the spring motorcycle riding season kicked into full gear.

The annual event, called the Blessing of the Bikes, consists of "priests or chaplains sprinkling Holy Water and saying prayers to each rider at a special event that attracts riders from many bike clubs in the region," Anda Durso, executive director of Masonic Village, said in an interview.

The blessing is about as close to a sacred event as some of the drivers and riders try to get to make sure they are protected while out on the road, organizers said.

"Last year, because of the pandemic, we did not do the blessing of the bikes at Masonic Village," Reverend Ron Anastase, who helped oversee the event, said in a press release. "I found out later that one of our regular attendees was in a cycle accident."

That person involved in the accident was said to be one of the hundreds at the April 24 Blessing of the Bikes, which also included tributes to police officers, firefighters, veterans and masons, and also offered attendees refreshments and vendors and the chance to participate in a parade where they rode their bikes.

Donations collected during the event benefit Masonic Village, a facility that provides independent and assisted living, short- and long-term care, memory care, home Care, respite and hospice care, according to Durso.

"Costs of care ... are constantly increasing," she said in the interview. "n keeping with the Masonic mission of empathy and service for all, donations like this help us offset operating costs and decreasing reimbursement for our services. As the second largest employer in Burlington Township, we are grateful that groups like the Masonic Riders Association recognize our needs and are here to support us."

Blessing of the Bikes began in New York City in 1999 and now takes place all over the United States, organizers told Patch. The 2022 Blessing of the Bikes has occurred 15 times in Burlington County, organizers continued.

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