Day 1

- Thursday, 15th March/

We w

ill depart in the morning from Dublin to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome we will transfer to the town of Pietrelcina, birthplace of St. Pio. We will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Holy Family and afterwards have a walking tour of the town visiting the Forgione family home where Padre Pio was born and the Church of Sant’Anna where he was baptised. ~~ After free time for lunch we will travel to nearby Piana Romana and see the tree beneath which Padre Pio received the Invisible Stigmata before continuing our journey to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will stay in the Hotel Colonne for the following four nights. ~~

Day 2

- Friday, 16th March/

This

morning we will celebrate Mass in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace and afterwards visit the old tomb where the remains of St. Pio rested for over forty years. Today we will have the opportunity to venerate the remains of St. Pio in the old tomb and have time for private prayer. ~~ In the afternoon we will visit the English Office and will learn of the incredible life of the saint and receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix of the humble friar. We will continue our pilgrimage in the footsteps of the saint with a visit to the capuchin friary where we will see the cell where Padre Pio lived and died. Our tour will end in the choir loft of the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where the humble friar received the gift of the Visible Stigmata almost 100 years ago. After private prayer we will return to our hotel for evening meal. ~~

Day 3

- Saturday, 17thMarch/

This

morning we will travel to Monte Sant’ Angelo, home to the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael. We will celebrate Mass at the sacred cave and afterwards have time at leisure for sightseeing before returning to our hotel for lunch. ~~ In the afternoon we will have a tour of the hospital, ‘Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.’ - considered to have been Padre Pio’s greatest creation. We will have time at leisure and return to our hotel for our evening meal. ~~

Day 4

- Sunday, 18th March/

This

morning we will attend Mass in the sanctuary as the precious relic of the body of St. Pio will be returned to the crypt in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. ~~ In the afternoon we will walk the Way of the Cross and have time for private prayer and reflection. ~~

Day 5

- Monday, 19th March /

This

morning we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and travel to Lanciano, site of the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church where we will celebrate Mass and afterwards venerate the relics. ~~ After free time for lunch we will transfer to Rome for our return flight to Dublin. ~~