Bikers' pilgrimage marks feast of Our Lady of Graces

The traditional bikers' pilgrimage to mark the feast of Our Lady of Graces was held yesterday, with hundreds of motorcycles and bicycles converging on Zabbar in a cacophony of horns shortly after noon, having earlier started off from different locations.

Motorcycles of all colours, size and condition - from gleaming machines to rust buckets, met at Mosta at 9.45 a.m. and rode off behind two policemen on their bikes and a van carrying a large image of Our Lady of Graces, protector of cyclists.

The bicycles left from Rabat at the same time, both pilgrimages swelling along the way as more bikers joined in. The activity ended with a blessing in front of Zabbar parish church.

Some of the bikers decorated their machines or bikes with tiny Maltese and Papal flags. Others had little decorations of Our Lady of Graces and some of the bikers also wore shirts showing Our Lady.

The more health conscious wore masks to reduce inhalation of exhaust emissions.

The pilgrimage has been held for 52 years following the coronation of the image of Our Lady of Graces at the Zabbar sanctuary.

A number of those taking part said they looked forward to the pilgrimage every year. Some of the bikers said they started taking part on their bicycles as teenagers but moved on to motorbikes as soon as they could.