Pilgrimages are a powerful and meaningful way for Catholics to connect with their faith by visiting historically significant places in Christian history.
Recently, we ran a contest inviting Glimmer Tours travelers to share their favorite photos from their pilgrimage with us. After receiving numerous stunning entries, we’ve chosen five winners!
We selected our winners based on a few different factors.
- Originality: The uniqueness of the photo and how it stands out from other entries.
- Relevance to pilgrimage: The relevance of the photo to the theme of pilgrimage, how well it captures the spirit of the journey, and how it connects to the location being visited.
- Composition: The overall balance and harmony of the image, including the placement of people and objects in the photo.
Based on these criteria, here are our photo contest winners!
1. The Via Dolorosa: Taken by Gisela R.
First on the list is a photo taken in the old city of Jerusalem, featuring the Via Dolorosa with the Holy Sepulchre Church in the background. The Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of Sorrows, is the path that Jesus walked to His crucifixion.
The Holy Sepulchre Church is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world, as it is built upon the site of Jesus' tomb. This photo encapsulates the rich history to be found at every turn in the Holy Land.
Thank you for this submission Gisela!
2. La Sagrada Familia: Taken by Mary Jean M.
Next, is a photo of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, one of the most iconic and visited landmarks of the city. This impressive church, designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfect blend of modern and gothic architecture. The intricate details of this Basilica, such as its towers and facades, make it a true masterpiece.
Thank you, Mary, for capturing this spectacular view!
3. Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary: Taken by Aleja M.
The third winning photo features the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lourdes, a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees in France. The basilica, built in the 19th century, is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.
It was in the grotto nearby where the Virgin Mary appeared to young Bernadette, calling for prayer, repentance and the construction of the Chapel of Apparitions which later evolved into this magnificent basilica.
Thank you Aleja for this exceptional capture!
4. Capernaum: Taken by Rosana G.
The fourth winning photo is of Capernaum, a small village located near the Sea of Galilee in Israel. Capernaum was the center of Jesus' public ministry, and is home to many Biblical sites, including the Pillars of the White Synagogue. The remains of the synagogue consist of several pillars, which are the only visible remains of the original structure.
In this image, you can see two inscriptions that commemorate the families and individuals who helped build the synagogue.
Thank you for sharing this impressive image, Rosana!
5. Group Photo: Taken by Corazon E.
The fifth, and final winning photo is a group of our travelers smiling with their tour leader and bus driver in front of our Glimmer Tours tour bus. This photo captures the joy and camaraderie of the pilgrimage experience, and highlights the friendships that make each journey meaningful and memorable.
Thank you, Corazon, for sharing this important aspect of the tour experience!
Congratulations to Our Winners!
We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of the participants of our photo contest. Your submissions are a testament to the power and beauty of pilgrimage and the personal connections that can be made through travel. We were truly moved by the stunning images that were shared and the personal stories behind them.
We would like to congratulate the winners once again, and thank them for allowing us to share their photographs and experiences with our community. We hope that this contest has encouraged others to embark on their own pilgrimage and to capture their own memorable moments along the way. We look forward to many more opportunities to share and celebrate the power of pilgrimage together!
