Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *


Wednesday, 17th September Arrive Italy
This afternoon we will fly from Dublin to Bari and upon arrival be met by our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. As we drive to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo we will hear of the early years of Padre Pio in his native Pietrelcina and the events that brought him to San Giovanni Rotondo. Upon arrival at our hotel, we will check into our rooms and have dinner.

Thursdsay, 18th 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.

Friday, 19th September Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel
After breakfast, we will drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, home to 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 return to San Giovanni Rotondo and, after lunch, 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. The remainder of the afternoon will give the opportunity for confession or to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.

Saturday, 20th September Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano & Holy House of Loreto
This morning, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and enjoy views of the Adriatic Coast as we drive to the town of Lanciano. We will venerate the relics of this first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church and afterwards have time for private prayer. In the afternoon we will continue our 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. We will celebrate Mass and after a guided tour of the impressive basilica have time for private prayer before driving to our hotel.

Sunday, 21st September Assisi
This morning, we will depart Loreto and drive to the "Green Heart of Italy" to Assisi, hearing about episodes in the life of St. Francis and that of St. Clare. Our visit to Assisi will begin in 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. After free time for lunch, we will embark on a walking tour of the medieval town, beginning at the Basilica of St. Clare where we will venerate the original San Damiano cross and have time for prayer at the tomb of the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. We will hear of the childhood of both Francis and Clare growing up in Assisi and afterwards in the Basilica of St. Francis have time for prayer at the tomb of the "Poor Man of Assisi." We will check into our hotel and afterwards walk the short distance to the 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 evening Mass and afterwards see the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died, and the Rose Garden where today miraculously grows the roses without thorns.

Monday, 22nd 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). After our visit to San Damiano, we will return to Assisi and enjoy an afternoon at leisure for shopping and private sightseeing.

Tuesday, 23rd September Cascia
This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Cascia, town of St. Rita. We will hear of the fascinating life of St. Rita during her forty years spent in Cascia, with a visit to the monastery where St. Rita lived as an Augustinian nun. In the courtyard we will see the famous well where Rita drew water each day and the vigorous vine with its white grapes which have become the symbol of the obedience of Saint Rita and her spiritual fruitfulness. We will conclude celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage at the Basilica of St. Rita and afterwards drive to Rome where we will spend the last night of our pilgrimage. After checking into our hotel, and with time to relax, we will gather this evening for our Gala Dinner.

Wednesday, 24th September Return home
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Fiumicino airport for our return flight to Dublin.