Our Lady of Fatima Benoni celebrates Feast of St Christopher, patron saint of travellers
By Kati Dijane – It wasn’t just the cold, winter air that parishioners and visitors of Our Lady of Fatima in Brentwood Park, Benoni, had to contend with on Sunday, July 7, but there was also an atmosphere of excitement, cheer and fun, as people slowly filled the church in the morning. Parishioners were celebrating the feast of St Christopher, the patron saint of travellers, even though his feast is normally marked on July 25.
All cars, motorbikes and anything with wheels were blessed by parish priest, Fr Tony Nunes, after Mass. The Amigos Portuguese Bikers, a biking community, which has been around for six years in Johannesburg and does a lot of community and charity work, sponsored the event in which there was a procession in honour of St Christopher, with a statue driven by a 1956 truck, around the church, followed by cars being blessed as they drove past the priest, as well as food and jumping castles for children.
Fr Nunes, who has worked in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg as a diocesan priest for 31 years, was assigned the parish of Our Lady of Fatima on January 2 this year. While explaining the meaning behind celebrating this feast day, Fr Nunes said that about 40 years ago, there was a parishioner who ran a taxi company and bought the parish the statue of St Christopher, which began the tradition of blessing cars. However, over the years, the tradition faded and it was the wish of the social event committee to revive this celebration. “I have sensed a lot of enthusiasm around this feast day. I hope this event will be fruitful, especially in the area of faith,” he added.
The feast day was also honoured on July 7 because the Amigos bikers will travel to Bloemfontein later in the month and requested a blessing from the priest for a safe journey.
