Pilgrimage Itinerary

Day 1 - Wednesday, 19th June
We will have a morning departure from Dublin to Naples with Aer lingus. Upon arrival we will be met by our tour escort and transfer to Pompeii where we will stay in the four-star Hotel Pompeii Resort for the first night of our pilgrimage.

In the afternoon we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and afterwards have time for prayer before the Icon, where the young Francesco Forgione once came on pilgrimage.


Day 2 - Thursday, 20th June
This morning we will drive to Pietrelcina, birthplace of St. Pio. We will celebrate Mass and afterwards take a walking tour of the town, birthplace of St. Pio where we will visit to the home of the Forgione family where baby Francesco was born, the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised and parish church where he celebrated his first Mass. We will have lunch in a local restaurant and afterwards visit nearby Piana Romana where we will see the farmhouse of the Forgione family and have time for prayer before the tree beneath which Padre Pio received the invisible stigmata.

We will enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside before arriving at our destination of San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years.


Days 3 - 5
During our time in San Giovanni Rotondo we will visit places associated with St. Pio.


Ancient Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
In this church Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions. In the choir loft we will see the crucifix before which the humble friar received the gift of the stigmata.



English Office
Here, after a cup of Irish tea, we will hear more of the life of St. Pio and receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix of the friar.



The Old Tomb
It was here the remains of St. Pio rested for almost forty years.



The Capuchin Friary
In the friary we will see the cell where Padre Pio lived and died and the museum with some vestments from Padre Pio's last Mass.
�Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza'


Considered Padre Pio's greatest creation, during our pilgrimage we will celebrate Mass and have a special healing ceremony.
�Masseria Calderoso'


Located in the picturesque countryside, surrounded by century-old olive trees, the farm was donated to Padre Pio during the 1950's and now provides the hospital with some wonderful fresh produce.



Cemetery in San Giovanni Rotondo
We will visit the cemetery where the parents of Padre Pio and our dear friends, Fr. Alessio, Fr. Joseph and Fr. Ermelindo are buried.



Shrine of the St. Michael the Archangel
We will celebrate Mass in the sacred cave - the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael.



St. Matthew's Monastery
In the nearby town of San Marco in Lamis we will visit the monastery and receive a blessing with the relic of St. Matthew and holy oil.



Throughout the week we will have time at leisure for private prayer and personal sightseeing.



Day 6 - 24th June
This morning we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and travel to Naples airport for our return flight to Dublin.