Pastor blesses motorcycles

KENOSHA, Wis., May 5 (UPI) -- A Harley Davidson-riding minister in Wisconsin has led a convoy of motorcyclists in a blessing over their preferred mode of transport.

Pastor Mark Jaramillo of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kenosha led the 19th annual bike blessing event of the Lake Shore Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, the Kenosha News reported Monday.

Jaramillo led the bikers in a ride from Lake Shore Harley-Davidson in Libertyville, Ill., to the parking lot of his church, where he and other religious figures blessed the bikes in groups of two or three.

The pastor said he found motorcycle riding to be its own religious experience.

"You get to ride with people who have the same passion you do," Jaramillo said. "Some people see me (riding) and say, 'You're a pastor. What are you doing?' I say I'm doing it because I'm a pastor and I love life."

"A ride is about finding God in manners you never thought about," Jaramillo told his fellow bikers. "And I hope you do find God on the road this year."