Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *
Saturday, 25th April 2026
This morning, we will fly from Dublin to Naples and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages
representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage.
During our drive to Pietrelcina, we will hear of Padre Pio's years spent in his native town and after lunch
in a local restaurant, our guided tour will take us to the Forgione family home where Padre Pio was born
and the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised. Our visit to Pietrelcina will conclude with the
celebration of Mass in the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, where Padre Pio celebrated his first Mass on
the 14
th of August 1910. We will drive to our hotel in nearby Avellino where we will spend the first night
of our pilgrimage.
Sunday, 26th April 2026
Mass at the convent of Montefusco will be followed by a visit to the cell once occupied by Padre Pio
during his brief period spent in the remote friary. Afterwards, the picturesque landscape will make for
an enjoyable morning drive to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years.
After lunch, we will walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo. Our
guided tour will take us to the capuchin friary and cell where the saint lived and died, the Church of Our
Lady of Grace where he celebrated his last Mass and the old tomb where his remains rested for forty
years. Our day will conclude in the crypt of the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will have time
for prayer before the mortal remains of the great saint of our time.
Monday, 27th April 2026
Morning mass at the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace, where Padre Pio celebrated Mass will be
followed by a visit to the English Office where we will receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix of the
capuchin friar. On the 5th of May 1956, Padre Pio presented to the world his greatest gift, �Casa Sollievo
della Sofferenza.� During our afternoon visit to the hospital we will hear of the history behind what is
regarded as one of the most important hospitals in Italy and a very important centre of research.
Tuesday, 28th April 2026
With a long list of saints through the centuries having made the pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Michael
the Archangel, this morning we will follow in their footsteps as we visit the oldest shrine in Western
Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael in the nearby town of Monte Sant'Angelo. We will celebrate
Mass in the sacred cave and afterwards have time to explore the unique town with its quaint, whitewashed houses. After lunch, we will walk the monumental Way of the Cross and afterwards have the
remainder of the afternoon at leisure with the opportunity to return to the crypt of St. Po for private
prayer.
Wednesday, 29th April
After breakfast, we will depart the town of St. Pio and drive to Naples airport, having walked in the
footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.
*It is our intention to follow the itinerary as outlined above, however due to many factors like local holidays, traffic or weather conditions it may be necessary to make changes to the order of events or even the cancelation of certain events.
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