Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *



Wednesday, 1st October Pietrelcina
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. As we drive through the countryside to the town of Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio, we will hear of Padre Pio's years in his native town and of his desire from an early age to become a �monk with a beard.� We will have lunch in a local restaurant and afterwards embark on a walking tour of the town which will include visits to the Forgione Family home where baby Francesco (future 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 and in nearby Piana Romana have time for prayer before the tree beneath which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. We will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years and after checking into our rooms have time to relax before dinner.

Thursday, 2nd October 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, 3rd October Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel & Way of the Cross
After breakfast, we will 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. We will have time to stroll through the cobbled streets of this quaint town. Before our return to San Giovanni Rotondo, we will stop at the local cemetery and have time for prayer at the chapel where the remains of the parents of Padre Pio and Mary Pyle are entombed. After lunch, 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. After dinner, on this eve of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, we will have the opportunity to visit the Church of Our Lady of Grace as the Capuchin friars join to commemorate the �Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.�

Saturday, 4th October Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza
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 and 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. From the moment of his arrival in the southern Italian town, Padre Pio had a deep affinity for the local people of San Giovanni Rotondo. His presence transformed San Giovanni Rotondo into what was regarded as a remote agricultural town into a �Hospital City� and place of pilgrimage. Despite the transformation of the town, the traditions have very much remained. In the afternoon we will have free time to stroll through the cobbled streets of the historical centre of San Giovanni Rotondo and hear of the history of the town, its unique traditions and see. some of the places visited by Padre Pio. After dinner we will have the opportunity to participate in procession held through the town as we celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

Sunday, 5th October
This morning, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive to Naples airport for our return flight, after having walked in the footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.