Ireland: Bishop Fintan Monahan to lead road blessing ceremony

Bishop Fintan Monahan has urged all road users to take extra care this June bank holiday weekend. After 11.30am Mass on Sunday Bishop Monahan will lead a 'Blessing of the Roads' ceremony in Clonlara parish, Co Clare, and offer prayers for the safety of all road users. Bishop Monahan has invited parishes in the Diocese of Killaloe to join with him in prayers over the weekend.

Bishop Monahan said: "I am aware that many county councils and civic groups, especially the Road Safety Authority, work very hard to promote safety on the roads. But in truth we all share this responsibility to protect human life on our roads.

"Up to this morning, 63 people have died this year on roads across the State. This loss of human life is heart-breaking for the loved ones of the deceased and a tragedy for our society as a whole.

"Road safety awareness is the parable of the Good Samaritan in action within our communities today. I am thinking here of all road users: motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians, and every one of us has a role in helping others even if we are not known to each other personally."

Bishop Monahan continued: "After 11.30am Mass this Sunday in Clonlara parish I shall take part in a 'Blessing of the Roads' ceremony. I am also inviting parishes across the diocese to pray for those who have lost their lives in tragic circumstances, and also to pray for the safety of all road users.

"I firmly believe that prayer and reflection can change our driving behaviour, calm our aggression, and remind us to take care of our spiritual, moral and physical dimensions. In this context I recommend the following dedicated prayers for motorists which can be said before driving."

17th century paidir as Gaeilge

In ainm an Athar le bua,
In ainm an Mhic a d'fhulaing an phian,
In ainm an Spiorad Naoimh le neart,
Muire is a Mac linn inár dtriall. Áiméan!

A contemporary prayer in the English language

Holy Mother, hear our prayer,
Keep us in your loving care,
Whatever the perils of the way,
Let us not add to them this day.
So to our caution and attention,
We add a prayer for your protection,
To beg God's blessing on this car,
To travel safely near and far.
Amen.