Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *



Monday, 13th October Pietrelcina

This morning, we will fly from Dublin to Naples and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative and driver who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. As we drive to the town of Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio, we will hear of the years Padre Pio spent in his native town and of his dream of becoming a �monk with a beard.� Upon arrival, we will have lunch in a local restaurant and afterwards embark on a walking tour as we visit the home of the Forgione family where Padre Pio was born and the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised. We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Church of the Holy Family before driving to nearby Piana Romana we will see the tree before which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. Views of the picturesque countryside will make for an enjoyable drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years. After checking into our rooms, we will have time to relax before dinner.

Tuesday, 14th October English Office, Capuchin friary & Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel

Padre Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and travelled on pilgrimage to the shrine. As we drive to the quaint town, we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael and celebrate Mass in the sacred cave. In the afternoon we will visit the English Office, founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo, during which time we will receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar. Our guided tour of the sanctuary will allow us to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo as we visit the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and the capuchin friary where he lived and died. 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.

Wednesday, 15th October Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano & Holy House of Loreto

This morning, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive along the Adriatic Coast to the town of Lanciano. In the Church of St. Francis, we will venerate the relics of the first Eucharistic Miracle in the history of the Catholic Church and afterwards have time for private prayer. We will continue our drive along the Adriatic Coast to the town of 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 After free time for lunch, we will drive through the �Green Heart of Italy� to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare and resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis. We will check into our rooms and afterwards have time to relax before dinner.

Thursday, 16th October Assisi

This morning, we will drive to Assisi and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Clare, home to the original San Damiano Cross which has been carefully preserved through the centuries and the tomb of the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. Afterwards, as we walk through the medieval town, 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 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.� The name Carlo Acutis became known throughout the world when on the 10th of October 2020, in the presence of his parents and siblings, he was beatified in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The young Carlo had the capacity to enjoy life in a simple way, and just like St. Francis of Assisi was not impressed by material things. This afternoon we will visit the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, the resting place of the first millennial beatified, and future saint, and where the young Francis of Assisi publicly relinquished his lavish lifestyle, in favour of a life of prayer. We will hear more of the life of Carlo and have time for private prayer at his Tomb. We will conclude our day with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, a sacred place for Franciscans, and home to the Chapel of the Porziuncola where Francis began to realise his true calling and where Clare was accepted into the Order, the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died and the famous Rose Garden. We will have time for private prayer before returning to our hotel for dinner.

Friday, 17th October Basilica of St. Mary Major

After morning Mass, we will depart Assisi and drive to Rome. Our pilgrimage in Rome will begin with us passing through the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome and home to the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani; an Icon of the Virgin Mother and Child, credited with saving the city of Rome from the plague during the late sixth century. It is before this icon that Pope Francis prays before embarking, and upon returning from each international Apostolic journey. We will have the opportunity to spend time in prayer before this precious image of Salus Populi Romani before driving to our hotel during which time we will catch glimpses of some of the many ancient monuments scattered throughout Rome, evidence that the �Eternal City� has a history and an appeal like no other city in the world.

Saturday, 18th October St. Peter's Basilica & Basilica of St. John Lateran

St. Peter's Basilica is without doubt one of the holiest temples of Christendom and home to masterpieces by artists of the calibre of Michelangelo and Bernini amongst countless others. Accompanied by our guide, this morning we will make our pilgrimage through the Holy Door and after time for prayer at the tombs of the great saints, we will enjoy a guided tour of the basilica. After free time for lunch, we will drive to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the �Mother Church of all churches� and seat of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. After time for private prayer, we will walk to the nearby Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. According to tradition, the Holy Stairs are the steps which led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ climbed on his way to trial. The sanctuary attracts millions of pilgrims each year who wish to honour the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Sunday, 19th October Walking tour of historical centre

This morning, accompanied by our guide, we will enjoy a walking tour of Rome, as we stroll along the quaint cobbled streets that will lead us to Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and the elegant Piazza Navona - a true symbol of Baroque Rome, with the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers dominating the square. We will have the afternoon at leisure for shopping and personal sightseeing.

Monday, 20th October Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

This morning, we will check out of our hotel and will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Since 1300, the date of the first Holy Year, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls has been part of the Jubilee itinerary to obtain the indulgence and stands on the site that tradition indicates as that of the burial place of the Apostle Paul, the saint's tomb being under the Papal Altar. After time for private prayer, we will drive to Rome airport for our return flight to Dublin, concluding our memorable Jubilee Pilgrimage.