Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

Tuesday, 20th May Arrive Italy
This afternoon we will fly from Dublin to Verona and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will accompany us to our hotel and remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. After checking into our rooms, we will have time to relax before dinner.

Wednesday, 21st May Padua
After breakfast we will drive to Padua, town of St. Anthony. St. Anthony of Padua Born in Lisbon in 1195 and given the name Fernando. At the early age of 15 years, he entered the religious order of St. Augustine however after some time and despite challenges from the Augustinians he left the Order and received the Franciscan habit, taking the name Anthony. Thought by his fellow friars to be uneducated Anthony became one of the great preachers and theologians of his day. Anthony died when he was only thirty-six and had been a Franciscan just 10 years. The following year Pope Gregory IX, moved by the many miracles that occurred at Anthony's tomb, declared him a saint in 1232. We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Basilica of St. Anthony and afterwards have time for private prayer at the tomb of the great saint. During our morning tour of this magnificent basilica, we will hear important episodes in the life of St. Anthony and afterwards have time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon we will walk to the Sanctuary of St. Leopold Mandic. St. Leopold Mandic Born on May 12,1866 in Croatia, Leopold was an unlikely candidate for the priesthood due to his several health problems. He overcame these obstacles, joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order, and was assigned to Padua, where he spent the rest of his life. For several years Leopold taught patrology, the study of the Church Fathers, to the clerics of his province, but he is best known for his work in the confessional, where, like Saint Padre Pio and Saint John Vianney, he sometimes spent 13-15 hours a day. The tomb of St. Leopold Mandic is located near the little room in which the saint heard confessions. This afternoon we will have time for prayer at the red marble tomb, which is visited by an endless stream of pilgrims, attracted by the spiritual strength of a friend who continues to protect and comfort.

Thursday, 22nd May Assisi
This morning, we will depart Padua and drive to the �Green Heart of Italy� 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 walk 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.

Friday, 23rd May 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.� Our pilgrimage to Assisi would not be complete without a visit to 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.

Saturday, 24th May Holy House of Nazareth, Loreto
This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Loreto. home to the Holy House of Nazareth which is undoubtedly the most treasured and venerated shrine of Our Lady throughout the world. According to tradition, the Holy House is part of the Virgin Mary's house, which was transported by angels from Nazareth, arriving in Loreto on the 10th of December 1294. After free time for lunch, we will celebrate Mass and afterwards have a guided tour of the impressive basilica.

Sunday, 25th May Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano
This morning, we will enjoy views of the Adriatic Coast as we drive to the town of Lanciano, site of the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. We will celebrate Mass in the Church of St. Francis and later venerate the relics of this Eucharistic Miracle. During our afternoon drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, we will hear of the early years of Padre Pio and how he overcame many obstacles to fulfil his dream of joining the Capuchin Franciscan Order. Upon arrival we will check into our rooms and after dinner, come together with fellow pilgrims at the sanctuary for prayer of the Rosary on this, the anniversary of the birth of Padre Pio.

Monday, 26th May 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.

Tuesday, 27th May Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and 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. After free time for lunch, we will enjoy fine views of the coast as we make our way to the town of Trani where we will spend the final night of our pilgrimage.

Wednesday, 28th May Corato
This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Corato, the town of Luisa Piccaretta. Luisa was a mystic and victim soul confined to her bed with an illness that no doctor could identify and who lived on the Eucharist and the Divine Will for over 60 years. We will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in the Church of Santa Maria Greca and have time for prayer at the tomb of Luisa Piccarreta. As we walk through the town of Corato, we will see the house where Luisa was born and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore where she was baptised. Our morning will conclude with a visit to the house of �The Little Daughter of the Divine Will�, we will hear of the life of Luisa and see her bedroom, precious relics, and copies of some of her writings, many of which have been published. In the tranquil countryside we will have lunch before driving the short distance to Bari airport for our return flight to Dublin.