San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission is a natural and spiritually beautiful mission in Carmel, California. Its Basilica Church is a registered National Historic Landmark and the centerpiece of the Mission. There is a fine collection of Spanish colonial liturgical art and artifacts displayed through the church, which has 34 reredos and 5-foot thick walls under a catenary ceiling.
However, on Wednesday of Monterey Classic Car Week, the Mission’s mission was its second annual Car Show & Blessing of The Automobile.
“Carmel Mission feeds the spirit, fine cars feed the passion, fine wine and gourmet food feed the body,” said Frank Di Paola, event chairman.
Some three dozen pristine automobiles and half a dozen motorcycles were presented, among them a superb 1949 Triumph Von Dutch 650cc and a 1935 Moto Guzzi P250. The Steve McQueen Jaguar XKSS was displayed by the Petersen Automotive Museum while a 1913 Pope Hartford was blessed by Rev. Richard Garcia, bishop of the Diocese of Monterey, and Fr. Paul Murphy, pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica.
