What is Gypsy fervor?
The Gypsy makes a wish to a saint. If it’s for the Pilgrimage to Saintes Maries de la Mer, the gypsy commits him or herself to accomplishing it in the harsh conditions of penitence. If you never see a gypsy vigil in the old fortress church lit up with candles you will never know what true gypsy fervor is.
Who is the patron saint of the Gypsies in France?
Sara, patron saint of the gypsies The statue of Sara, Patron Saint of the Gypsies, can be found in the Church of Saintes Maries de la Mer, at the back of the crypt to the right, wearing multicoloured dresses and jewelry. The center altar bears a reliquary, and against the wall is the Processional cross, carried by the Gypsies.
How many gypsies are there in France?
They number dozens of thousands in the South of France, where some have definitively settled since many years ago, even several generations. But there are also Gitan shanty towns whose population has increasd tenfold with the arrival of Gypsies from North Africa.
What happens on the day of the gypsy pilgrimage?
In the afternoon at the Church, with prayers and a popular fervor, the ceremony of bringing the reliquaries back up to the “High Chapel” takes place. During these two days, services and vigils follow one another in the Church. The Gypsy’s Pilgrimage – Les Saintes Maries de la Mer