Around 1,500 bikers took part in a Marian pilgrimage for motorcyclists in Kevelaer, Lower Rhine, according to the organizers. That was a little less than the 2,000 expected bikers, said the second chairman of the Kevelaer motorcyclist pilgrimage, Willi Verhülsdonk, on Saturday evening when asked. In the evening, the participants in the approximately 680 motorbikes rode in a long convoy around 45 kilometers around Kevelaer, partly also on the immediately neighboring Dutch side. Then they arrived at the Marienkirche in Kevelaer, where they and their machines were blessed with holy water and traditionally honked a Marian salute.
At a prayer service, they commemorated the motorcyclists who died in accidents last year. This moment is particularly emotional every year when everyone descends to the service and takes off their helmets, said Willi Verhülsdonk. “We’re not tough dogs.” After the prayer, a celebration with a live band was planned until one in the morning.
Kevelaer is one of the most frequented pilgrimage towns in Germany with several hundred thousand guests per year. Pilgrims worship in Kevelaer in the chapel of grace in front of the basilica the tiny image of Mary “Comforter of the Afflicted” and ask for help. Around 800 organized groups of pilgrims come every year.
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