So I grew up with Catholic grandparents, so I'm used to the statue of Mary in the yard and crosses with palms all through the house. They would even put little saints cards and charms in their burgundy 1988 Crown Victoria, but I never saw them spray their car with champaign or light fireworks under it. Let me explain.
cars waiting to be blessed
On the coast of Lake Titicaca a long tradition exists at the Cathedral in Copacobana. (The Barry Manilow song doesn't totally apply to this town, but I did sing it the whole 6 days we were there...) Every Sunday, a looooong line of cars waits for the 2 (om maybe 2:15 or 2:30) blessing of the vehicles. Semi trailers, SUVs, VW Beetles, etc. would all line up waiting their turn to get their blessing. Apparently, Sundays were so popular, they do this EVERY day of the week. No joke.
So here's how it goes. First, you dress up your car with flowers & bows. There are dozens of stands making flower arrangements and selling decor for you, just ask one of the nice ladies.
line of vendors with flowers, deocrations, and religious decor
woman wiring flowers for a hood arrangement; daughter watching her mother work the flowers
The whole family gathers around for to wait for the excitement to start with the the Priest (or sometimes a deacon). He first says a prayer over your engine.
family carefully discussing the hood decorations
deacon saying the Mobility prayer over the front of a van
deacon saying the Mobility prayer over the front of a van
After the prayer, he uses a white rose to spray holy water on your entire car (although you have to do your own tires), and on the heads of all your family members. He even goes inside the car.
Priest (with a White Sox hat!!) blessing the family; blessing the inside of the SUV with holy water
After that, the spraying and fireworks ensue. It's sort of chaotic really. You buy a liter of beer or bottle of champaign, shake it, and spray all over your car. It seems to be an important male ritual really, because I saw a father instructing his 12 year old son half-way through the spraying, and the young boy gladly took over the spraying beer bottle.
putting beer to use; flowered & sprayed with champaign
No joke, people really throw lit fireworks under the back of their cars to add the last BANG! to the cermony. I imagine it must really summon the Holy Spirit to throw a Black Cat firework under your car. People standing a few feet away would turn and run for cover. Babies cried. It was spiritual.
Cars Blessed and hanging out; Oh, and you can also have the incense ball flung through your car.
waiting for the camera in front of their blessed semi-trailer; payment & hand shake with the Priest
We're silly and adventurous, computer geeks and yoga peeps.
January 09, 2009
DADDIO
And may The Lord Bless the memory of David Dunbar Buick while we are at it. I wish I had driven up there in the Crimson King or the Golden Lady as our cars are fondly named and blessed back here in the USA.
Wonderful photo collection! Stay very happy........
January 09, 2009
Bessie
Car blessings are certainly something you don't see everyday, except in Copacobana...
January 11, 2009
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January 12, 2009
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January 14, 2009
Kyle
January 14, 2009
Linda