Blessing of the Bikes

High school (ages 12+)
Holidays & Celebrations

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/blessing-of-the-bikes

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the originating clergy?Father Bill Shergold
2. What is the decade of origin?1970s
3. Why do people sprinkle holy water on their bikes?The holy water is a symbolic act that gives riders a sense of protection and helps them feel calm before they ride.
4. When did the Blessing of the Bikes start in the United Kingdom?The tradition became popular in the 1970s, led by figures like Father Bill Shergold.

Subculture: A cultural group within a larger society, often having beliefs or interests that differ from those of the larger culture.
Ritual: A series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone, often with symbolic meaning.
Social Cohesion: The bonds that bring people together and foster a sense of belonging and cooperation within a group.