Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *



Day 1 - Arrive Italy
Wednesday, 15th October We will depart in the afternoon from Shannon to Naples and upon arrival, be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages representative and drive to our hotel in Avellino where we will spend the first night of our pilgrimage. Upon arrival we will have dinner before checking into our rooms. (Dinner).

Day 2 - Pietrelcina & Piana Romana Thursday, 16th October
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel as we begin our pilgrimage in the footsteps of Padre Pio. As we drive to the town of Pietrelcina, we will hear of the early years of Padre Pio and how he fulfilled his dream of becoming a �monk with a beard.� We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Church of the Holy Family and afterwards visit the museum where precious items have been preserved dating back to Padre Pio's years spent in Pietrelcina. Our walking tour of the town will include a visit to the Forgione family home where Padre Pio was born and Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will drive to nearby Piana Romana and see the tree before which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. As we drive to San Giovanni Rotondo we will hear of the events that brought Padre Pio to the southern Italian town. Upon arrival, we will check into our rooms have time to relax before dinner. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Day 3 - English Office, Capuchin friary, Crypt of St. Pio Friday, 17th October
This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and spent hours each day hearing confessions. Founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo, after Mass we visit the English office during which time, we will receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by Padre Pio. Our afternoon guided tour of the sanctuary will take us to the Church of Our Lady of Grace, where Padre Pio celebrated his last Mass and the capuchin friary, where we will learn more about the �poor friar who prays� as Padre Pio so often described himself. Our day will conclude in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will have time for prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Day 4 - �Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza�, Way of the Cross & Torchlight Procession Saturday, 18th October
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. 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. We will have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure and after dinner participate in the Torchlight Procession. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner). Proposed Itinerary Maria Conway Group - Pietrelcina & San Giovanni Rotondo 2025 Day 5 - Cemetery of San Giovanni Rotondo, Masseria Calderoso & St. Matthew's Monastery Sunday, 19th October
This morning, we will visit the cemetery in San Giovanni Rotondo where rest the remains of Padre Pio's parents, Mary Pyle, and our good friends Fr. Alessio Parente and Fr. Joseph Pius. We will have time for prayer at the resting place of these figures who played such an important part in the life of Padre Pio. Afterwards we will drive through the picturesque countryside to Calderoso, the farm which was one of three farms donated to Padre Pio during the 1950's and now provides the hospital with some wonderful fresh produce. Surrounded by century-old olive trees, we will celebrate Mass in the ancient church and afterwards enjoy lunch in the Masseria which will give us the opportunity to sample some of the produce from the two remaining farms. Before returning to San Giovanni Rotondo we will visit St. Matthew's Monastery where we will receive a blessing with the relic of St. Matthew and Holy Oil. We will have the evening at leisure with the opportunity to visit the old town of San Giovanni Rotondo. (Breakfast, lunch).

Day 6 - Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel & Abbey of Pulsano Monday, 20th October
Padre Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and travelled on pilgrimage to the shrine in Monte Sant'Angelo. As we drive to the quaint town, we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael and celebrate Mass in the sacred cave. We will have time for private prayer and after lunch enjoy a stroll through the narrow streets of this unique town. Located in the mountains above Monte Sant'Angelo is the Abbey of Pulsano. Founded in the 6th century by Pope Gregory the Great, the complex was expanded in the 12th century. For several hundred years, the monks lived here in rock caves, in seclusion and silence, focusing only on prayer and work. This afternoon we will pray the Rosary in this sacred place and later return to San Giovanni Rotondo. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Day 7 - Mass at the Old Tomb. Eucharistic Adoration Monday, 21st October
This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the old tomb of the Church of Our Lady of Grace, where the remains of Padre Pio rested for over forty years, remembering especially during this Mass our deceased family and friends. In the afternoon we will come together as a group where there will be Exposition and Adoration of the Eucharist - one of the most beautiful ways to spend time in prayer. Afterwards there will be time to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner). Day 8 - Closing Mass of pilgrimage Tuesday, 22nd October
This morning, we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage before departure to Naples airport for ou