Posted in Uncategorized on Jul 13th, 2010
It is the second day of the Gypsy Pilgrimage, and it feels much quieter. We learn that many of the Gypsies are leaving as their Saint’s Day was yesterday. Presumably many of them arrived a day or two before us, and have already enjoyed some celebration days with friends and family. Indeed, we see a [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 22nd, 2010
We are staying at a charming hotel, just a few kilometers outside of the village. My good instincts told me that we would most likely want to be located at arm’s length from the activities in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Although I selected this hotel from the internet, I am very pleased with my choice as I was [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 15th, 2010
It is the night before the ceremonies of the Gypsy Pilgrimage begin. We take a short drive into town in the late afternoon, hoping to visit the church before it is closed for the evening. There are so many cars parked along the beach road that we have to walk quite a distance, but we [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 8th, 2010
I didn’t really understand how Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is such a holy place before undertaking this excursion. The history of the village is closely linked with Provencal religious beliefs and those of Catholics everywhere. The story of the persecuted Mary Salome, Mary Jacobe, and Mary Magdalene is that they were set adrift on a boat without sails [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 1st, 2010
We began our trip to the Gypsy Pilgrimage with a drive from Var, traveling west in the director of Arles. Arles is a city of Gypsy culture, and if you remember from my past posts, it was a gathering place for the Gypsies as they began their trip down the ancient road to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Perhaps [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 28th, 2010
I missed my post last week because I was at the Gypsy Pilgrimage without internet service! Here is the schedule of events that took place during the three day celebration:
May 24th
10:00 a.m Mass to celebrate the opening of the Pilgrimage
3:30 p.m. Ceremony of lowering the reliquaries
4:00 p.m Procession of Saint Sara
8:30 p.m. Prayers
May 25th
8:00 a.m. [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 18th, 2010
Every May 24th and 25th, the Gypsies gather in southern France to observe a yearly ritual of celebrating their patron saint, Sara the Kali. This year, I have planned my life in advance so that I can witness this annual event. The destination of the Pilgrimage is the small village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the south [...]
Remember May Day? It used to be a holiday here in the U.S. I remember cutting flowers and making paper envelopes for them, and then hanging the flowers on neighbors doors during the 1950s. I think May Day ceased to be celebrated in the U.S. when the Eastern bloc countries began to display their military [...]