Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *



Sunday, 19th October Arrive Italy
This morning, we will fly from Dublin to Rome and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. The wonderful scenery to the Green Heart of Italy will make for an enjoyable drive 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 have time to relax before walking 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.

Monday, 20th October 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. Afterwards, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, made famous as the spot where Francis stripped himself of his fine clothes, thus relinquishing his wealthy lifestyle in favour of a life of poverty. In the same sanctuary today are the remains of 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 hear of the life of Carlo Acutis and have time for private prayer at his tomb.

After free time for lunch, we will embark on a walking tour of the medieval town of Assisi as we hear of the lives of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how they relinquished lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of poverty 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� before enjoying time at leisure for personal sightseeing and shopping.

Tuesday, 21st October
This morning, we will enjoy views of the Adriatic Coast as we drive to the town of Lanciano. We will celebrate Mass in the Church of St. Francis and afterwards venerate the relics of the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church that date back to the 8th century. After free time for lunch, we will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, as we hear of episodes in the early life of Francesco Forgione and his dream of becoming a monk with a beard. As we arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo we will check into our rooms and have time to relax before dinner.

Wednesday, 22nd 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.

Thursday, 23rd October Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Way of the Cross
This morning 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. We will celebrate Mass in the sacred cave and afterwards have time at leisure for shopping and personal sightseeing.

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. An important part in the story of Padre Pio, this afternoon we will visit the hospital and learn of the history behind what is regarded as Padre Pio's greatest creation. Afterwards 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.




Frirday, 24th October This morning we wil check out of our hotel and drive to Naples airport for our return flight to Dublin.