Blessing of a car

I blessed a car this morning. A parishioner, who is also an altar server has just acquired this Citroen DS (dating back to sometime before 1975, when they went out of production). Riding in it feels a bit like being on board a boat - the suspension is very "cushioney"!

Its not often that I'm asked to bless a car, but have done it on occasion. Once in London a taxi driver, seeing his passenger in a cassock, asked me to bless his black cab. I don't think he was a Catholic - he'd been having a run of bad luck, he said. He didn't lift a penny from the cab fare - so definitely not a Catholic, I guess!

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R. Who has made heaven and earth.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

Lend a willing ear, Lord God, to our prayers, and bless + this vehicle with Your holy right hand. Direct Your holy angels to accompany it, that they may free those who ride in it from all dangers, 

and always guard them. 

And just as by Your deacon Philip You gave faith and grace to the man of Ethiopia 

as he sat in his chariot reading the Sacred Word, *

so, point out to Your servants the way of salvation. 

Grant that, aided by Your grace, and with their hearts set on good works, they may, 

after all the joys and sorrows of this journey through life, 

merit to receive eternal joys, through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

(And it is sprinkled with holy water.)

* Health and safety warning: Please do not read any text, even the Scriptures, whilst driving a vehicle. £100 instant fine and three pooints on your license.