Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

DAY 1 - Saturday, 2nd May 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 to the town of Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio, we will hear of Padre Pio's years spent in his native town and of his dream of becoming a monk with a beard. After lunch in a local restaurant our afternoon walking tour will take us to the room where baby Francesco was born and the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised, before concluding our day with Mass in the Church of the Holy Family. Afterwards, we will drive the short distance to Avellino where we will spend the first night of our pilgrimage.


DAY 3 - Sunday, 3rd May Capuchin friary of Montefusco & San Giovanni Rotondo

After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to the capuchin friary in Montefusco. Accompanied by a friar, we will see the cell once occupied by Padre Pio during his brief period spent in the remote friary and afterwards receive a blessing with a relic of St. Pio. The picturesque landscape will make for an enjoyable morning drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years. We will check into our hotel and after lunch make our way to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace where we will celebrate Mass in the ancient church where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions and afterwards during our guided tour will hear of Padre Pio's years spent in San Giovanni Rotondo with a visit to the capuchin friary, the Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated his last Mass and the old tomb where his remains rested for forty years. Our day will conclude in the crypt of the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will have time for prayer before the mortal remains of the great saint of our time. DAY 4 - Monday, 4th May English Pilgrims' Office & Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza The arrival of Padre Pio in 1916 to San Giovanni Rotondo transformed the once unknown agricultural town into a hospital city and international place of pilgrimage. Established by Fr. Alessio Parente, after morning Mass we will visit the English Office, as we hear more of the life of Padre Pio and receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar.

In these days leading up to the 70th anniversary of the inauguration of the hospital, �Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, this afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the hospital, hearing of the history behind what is considered Padre Pio's greatest creation and of the wonderful work that continues today.

DAY 5 - Tuesday, 5th May 70th Anniversary of the Inauguration of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

On this, the 70th anniversary of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, we will join with the faithful today as we mark such a wonderful milestone.

Nestled into the side of the mountain is the Monastery of the Resurrection, home to the Capuchin Poor Clares Sisters. In this tranquil setting we will celebrate Mass and afterwards have time for private prayer. Located a short distance away is the monumental Way of the Cross. As we walk the Way of the Cross, it will allow us as Christians to pause and enter reflectively into those last moments of Jesus's journey of love. Time at leisure in the afternoon will give us the opportunity to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.


DAY 6 - Wednesday, 6th May Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel

This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, home to the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, a shrine that has been visited by many saints and Popes through the centuries. We will have time for private prayer in the sacred cave and after lunch celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage before driving to Naples airport, concluding our pilgrimage, having walked in the footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.



IMPORTANT NOTE

The towns of San Giovanni Rotondo, Monte Sant'Angelo and Pietrelcina are all hill-top towns, with a number of inclines that need to be negotiated to arrive on foot at the sanctuaries.


PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO OFFICIAL LOCAL FACILITIES IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, MONTE SANT ANGELO AND PIETRELCINA FOR HIRE OF WHEELCHAIRS OR MOBILITY AIDS.