Pilgrimage Itinerary

Day 1 - Pietrelcina & Piana Romana

We will depart in the morning from Dublin to Naples. In the arrivals hall we will be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages guide and driver who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. The beauty of the countryside will make for an enjoyable drive towards the town of Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio.

Without doubt one of the most unspoilt pilgrim destinations in Italy, in this quaint town one will learn of the early years of Francesco Forgione (the future Padre Pio) and how he overcame many obstacles to fulfil his dream of becoming �a monk with a beard,

During a walking tour of the town of Pietrelcina, we will learn of the early life of Francesco Forgione with a visit to his family home and the Church of Sant' Anna where he was baptised. We will have time for private prayer in the Church of the Holy Family and later visit the museum where precious items have been preserved dating back to Padre Pio's early years in Pietrelcina.

We will drive the short distance to Piana Romana and have time for prayer before the tree beneath which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. We will enjoy views of the contrasting landscapes as we drive to our destination of San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years. After checking into the four-star San Giovanni Rotondo Palace Hotel we will have dinner and afterwards time to relax and unpack.


Day 2 - English Office, Capuchin friary & Way of the Cross

Our morning visit to the English Office will give us the opportunity to receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by Padre Pio. Afterwards we will begin to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his time in San Giovanni Rotondo. Visiting the capuchin friary will allow us to learn more about the �poor friar who prays� as he often described himself. Here we will have the opportunity to see the cell once occupied by the humble friar and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata.

Our morning will conclude with a visit to the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will have time for private prayer before the mortal remains of the great saint of our time.

On this Good Friday afternoon we will walk the Way of the Cross which will allow us as Christians, to pause and enter reflectively into those last moments of Jesus's journey of love.


Day 3 - Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel & St. Matthew's Monastery

Padre Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel. This morning we will drive to the nearby Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in the town of Monte Sant'Angelo. In the sacred cave we will time for private prayer and afterwards enjoy a stroll through the cobbled streets of this unique town with its quaint white-washed houses.

After lunch we will visit St. Matthew's monastery, a stopping point for pilgrims over the centuries. We will receive a blessing with the relic of St. Matthew and holy oil and afterwards have hear of the history behind the ancient monastery.

This evening we will have the opportunity to attend the Easter Vigil ceremony in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.


Day 4 - Easter Sunday

In 1956 Padre Pio presented to the world his greatest gift, �Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza� which today is now one of the most important hospitals in Europe. After the celebration of Mass on this Easter Sunday, we will hear of the history behind what is regarded as Padre Pio's greatest creation.

After lunch we will have the afternoon at leisure with the opportunity to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.


Day 5 - Return home

This morning we will check out of our hotel and drive to Naples airport for our return flight to Dublin returning to our homes, filled with a sense of tranquillity, rejuvenation, and peace in our hearts.