Each year, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington accepts dozens of donated vehicles and provides them to those in need across the region. And now for the first time, the donated cars come will come with religious blessings.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington on Jan. 5 presented a donated car to 34-year-old Wade Sheriff of Alexandria, who works at a senior center and has three girls, ages 4 to 9. It was the first donation of the new year.
Sheriff, born in Liberia, previously had to take public transportation to her job at a senior center and to accomplish other tasks.
At an event held at the diocese headquarters in Arlington, the car received a priest’s blessing before being turned over to its new owner.
For those who are curious, here’s a typical Blessing for an Automobile (deacons do these a lot):
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.)
Photo: Diocese of Arlington
