DVD Review: The Faithful Traveler


The Faithful Traveler Mash-Up from The Faithful Traveler on Vimeo.

The Faithful Traveler is one EWTN program that I haven’t yet had the opportunity to watch, so I was very happy to receive the DVD set for the first season of this popular program to review.

In this exciting new DVD set, Diana von Glahn shows us the wonders and the treasures of the Catholic Church by exploring Catholic shrines, churches, and pilgrimage sites throughout the United States. The extroverted and ebullient Diana von Glahn is our personal tour guide on this virtual pilgrimage around the United States. Sharing her enthusiasm and expertise on the saints, Diana skillfully intertwines the biographies of the saints, revealing little known facts about their lives, with each location she visits. She also uncovers the secrets and meanings behind the various works of art, the architecture, history, tradition, and dogma of each location she visits, interviewing artists, rectors, and pastors at the various sites.

In this disc set of two, Diana takes us to the East Coast with travel destinations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. We walk along with her as she travels to the majestic sites of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, the National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, the National Blue Army Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Miraculous Medal Shrine, Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, St. Alphonsus Church, the National Shrine of St. John Nepomucene Neuman, the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Watching this DVD set is like taking an amazing course on the saints, church art and architecture, church history, and going on pilgrimage at the same time -- all from the comfort and convenience of your home. As my readers know, as a freelance writer, I write primarily about spirituality and the saints both on this blog and in magazine articles and books and believe that I have considerable knowledge in this area. However, even I was educated and enlightened by some of Diana’s findings. For example, most of the present day biographies on St. Rita of Cassia depict her husband as a violent man, yet this is totally untrue, and Diana reveals the history of how this myth came about.

Shot in high definition, these discs are not only a treat for the eyes but also for the ears. I was captivated by the music of some of today’s most talented musicians, including Sarah Bauer, Nichole Akhoury Lanthier, Popple, John Grassadonia, Rise, Isabel Rivera, Robby Alleman, Christine Wittman, Ceili Rain, Kitty Cleveland, and many others.

Viewing this disc set will be a treat for the entire family! It is not only enlightening and educational, but fascinating and fun to watch. I can guarantee you that this is a pilgrimage that will warm your home and your hearts for years to come. I highly recommend it.

~ © Jean M. Heimann, January 13, 2011
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