Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *



Wednesday, 10th September Arrive Italy
This morning, we will fly from Dublin to Rome and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. The wonderful scenery to the "Green Heart of Italy" will make for an enjoyable drive to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare and resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel and after time to relax before walking to the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to the Chapel of the Porziuncola where Francis realised his true calling and where on Palm Sunday of 1212, he accepted Clare into the Order. We will celebrate Mass and afterwards see the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died, and the Rose Garden where today miraculously grows the roses without thorns.

Thursday, 11th September Assisi
After breakfast we will drive to the town of Assisi. We will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Clare where we will see the original San Damiano Cross which has been carefully preserved through the centuries and afterwards have time for prayer at the tomb of the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. As we walk through the medieval town of Assisi, accompanied by our guide, we will hear of the lives of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how they relinquished lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of charity and prayer. Our walking tour will conclude at the Basilica of St. Francis where we can admire the impressive frescoes and later have time for prayer at the tomb of the "Poor Man of Assisi." After free time for lunch, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, made famous as the spot where Francis stripped himself of his fine clothes, thus relinquishing his wealthy lifestyle. In the same sanctuary today are the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young boy who was very much impressed by the figure of Francis of Assisi and who, just like Francis, liked nothing more than to help the poor. Like Francis, he used his skills as a means of evangelisation and has been described by Pope Francis as a great example for young people today. We will have time for private prayer and have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure for personal sightseeing and shopping.

Friday, 12th September Assisi
Carlo Acutis had a passion for Information Technology and was fascinated by the potential good it could bring. With a small computer he did extraordinary things, creating a website on the Eucharistic Miracles - the contents of which formed an exhibition that would travel the world. Amongst the Eucharistic Miracles documented is that of St. Clare of Assisi which took place at the Convent of San Damiano. Located in a beautiful setting just outside the walls of Assisi, this morning we will celebrate Mass at the Church of San Damiano and afterwards visit the convent where we will see the Refectory, the Dormitory where St. Clare died and beautiful cloister. (Please note that the narrow path leading to the Convent of San Damiano will not permit tourist coaches to arrive at the entrance. It is approximately 15 minutes on foot to arrive at the convent. For those who wish to take a taxi, this can be organised and the taxi driver paid directly). As we return to the town of Assisi, we will visit the Cathedral of San Rufino, and after venerating the heart relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, we will have time for private prayer. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure will give us the opportunity for shopping and personal sightseeing.

Saturday, 13th September Holy Face of Manoppello
This morning, we will enjoy views of the Adriatic Coast as we drive to the town of Manoppello where we will visit the Basilica of the Holy Face. Relics, considered to be the burial cloths of Christ have been stored for centuries and are scattered throughout Europe however only two of the cloths have images upon them: the Shroud of Turin and the cloth at Manoppello. We will celebrate Mass and afterwards venerate the "Santo Sudarium, the veil that has been carefully preserved above the alter, which is believed to have been the cloth lain over the head of Christ in the Tomb. We will hear of the examinations that have been carried out over the years on the veil and of the mysterious arrival of the cloth in the town of Manoppello. After free time for lunch, we will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, as we hear of episodes in the early life of Francesco Forgione and his dream of becoming a "monk with a beard." As we arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo we will check into our rooms and have time to relax before lunch. After dinner there will be opportunity to attend the Torchlight Procession at the sanctuary.

Sunday, 14th September English Office, Capuchin friary & Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina
The English Office was founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo. After the celebration of morning Mass, we will visit the English Office and learn more of the life of Padre Pio before receiving a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar. In the afternoon, our guided tour of the sanctuary will allow us to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo. Our guide will take us to the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions before continuing onto the capuchin friary, where we will learn more about the "poor friar who prays" as Padre Pio often described himself. Our day will conclude in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where there will be time for private prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time.

Monday, 15th September Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel
After breakfast, we will drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Today we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael in the Gargano and have the privilege of celebrating Mass in the sacred cave. We will have time to stroll through the cobbled streets of this quaint town and afterwards have lunch in a local restaurant before returning to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will have the evening at leisure with the opportunity for shopping and personal sightseeing and to sample some of the many trattorias serving typical local dishes. Cappagh Padre Pio Prayer Group Pilgrimage to Assisi & San Giovanni Rotondo- 2025

Tuesday, 16th September Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza & Way of the Cross
In 1956 Padre Pio presented to the world his greatest gift, "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" which today is one of the most important hospitals in Italy. An important part in the story of Padre Pio, after morning Mass we will learn of the history behind what is regarded as Padre Pio's greatest creation. We will have free time for lunch and in the 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.

Wednesday, 17th September Return home
Nestled into the side of the mountain is the Monastery of the Resurrection, home to the Capuchin Poor Clares Sisters. In this tranquil setting we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage and after lunch in our hotel, we will depart to Bari airport for our return flight to Dublin.