“We are a group of about twenty bikers this year. Some are from Alençon, others joined us on the way. We met up in Mortagne and arrived together here at Montligeon.” For Christophe, a motorcycle enthusiast and funeral professional, the bikers’ mass is more than just a rendezvous: it is a powerful fraternal moment, both convivial and contemplative.
This is the second time he and his band have taken part in the event. “Last year, there were a few fewer of us. This year, we have the lovely weather on our side, that’s certainly encouraged more people to come.” Along the way, groups come together, visors are raised, hands are extended for a shake. In Montligeon, the passion of motorcycling meets the impetus of prayer.
A mass for missing bikers
Christophe is no ordinary biker: he is a master of ceremonies and crematorium agent. He hosts bereaved families all year round. This daily link with death lends a special intensity to his visit: “This bikers’ mass is an opportunity for me to think of those who have left us, whether through accident, illness or old age.
It is not just a personal moment: it is also a community tribute to fallen bikers. “Yes, through my job I have brought support to some bikers. I’m touched by that. This prayer moment has a profound meaning for me. ” At Montligeon, everyone can entrust people through a first name, a memory, a prayer. The road becomes a path of memory.
A group united by caution and respect
Beyond the mourning, the bikers who attend are also united by friendship. Christophe launched a Facebook group to bring together enthusiasts. “I started with a 125, and little by little, others joined us. We don’t ride for speed. It’s often said that speed is for the track. The road is not a playground.”
His experience in the funeral industry makes him even more aware of the risks: “Even when you have experience, an accident can happen within seconds. Sometimes, all it takes is a watchful eye to avoid the worst. Vigilance saves lives. This respect for the road, shared by the whole group, is also a way of living fraternity: each one watches over the others.
Every year, the Shrine of Notre-Dame de Montligeon greets you for a special time combining prayer, fellowship and remembrance. Whether you join alone or in a group, come and entrust your biker friends, living or deceased, and receive a special blessing for the road.
