Pilgrimages of Europe Revisited in Annual Celebrations

This week marks the anniversary of one of the largest pilgrimages in the history of Christian Europe, the annual Gathering of the Gypsies in the south of France on May 24-25. Also on May 25th is the Saint's Day celebration of Saint Mary Jacobe, who has a historical connection with the patron saint of gypsies herself, Saint Sarah. Each year, the important pilgrimage site Saintes Maries De La Mer of France is visited by thousands of gypsies that gather for a religious festival to honor Saint Sarah. The origin behind this voyage and the story of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes are documented in the richly filmed Janson Media DVD, Pilgrimages of Europe Vol 2. Pilgrimages are as old as mankind. The mystical and spiritual nature of a pilgrimage holds an eternal, mythic appeal to the imagination of many people. Every year millions of pilgrims of all nationalities, young and old, set out on these voyages of the soul. The twelve documentaries in the Pilgrimages of Europe collection are experiential journeys to some of the most sacred routes and holy places throughout Christian Europe. Part of a multipart series, this DVD features two half-hour documentaries that look at the spiritual, cultural and historical background of the important pilgrimage sites throughout Europe. The film has amassed praise for its ability to both educate and to translate to the contemporary pilgrimage point of view.

'This film includes many pilgrimages across Europe besides Amsterdam. Those included are Belgium, Bosnia, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, and Spain. The history surrounding each of the pilgrimages is very interesting. The narration and translation of each country is good.' - Dove Foundation 'These are the finest set of pilgrimage videos I have encountered in my long career in the pilgrimage profession. Government tourist offices produced many of the others I have reviewed and they could learn much from the style of your videos. The length of these videos (20 - 30 minutes) is perfect for our leaders presenting to their prospective pilgrims at meetings. I recommend this series wholeheartedly to our pilgrimage leaders and our pilgrims as well.' - Bob Faucett, Director of Religious Tours, Unitours 'Pilgrimages of Europe is a new and outstanding series from Janson Media, which is comprised of superbly, produced documentaries showcasing twelve specific pilgrimages hallowed by generations of Christians throughout the expanse of Western Europe. The filming is wonderfully enhanced with the testaments of contemporary pilgrims traveling the sometimes centuries old routes and who find themselves able to stand upon holy ground and pray at revered shrines. This series is truly memorable, informative, and enthusiastically recommended.'-Video Librarian