Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

Thursday, 22nd April PIETRELCINA

Our morning flight from Dublin will take us to Naples airport where, awaiting us in the arrivals halls, will be our Marian Pilgrimages Representative who will accompany us in the forthcoming days as we walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio. During our drive to Pietrelcina, we will hear of Padre Pio's years spent in his native town. Our walking tour will take us to the home where Padre Pio was born, the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised and the parish church where he celebrated his first Mass. Time at leisure will allow us to soak up the atmosphere of this quaint town before we celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage. Afterwards we will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will stay in the Hotel Gaggiano, located within walking distance of the sanctuary. After checking into our rooms we will enjoy dinner, sampling some traditional dishes with fine local produce.

Friday, 23rd April CAPUCHIN FRIARY, ENGLISH OFFICE, CRYPT OF PADRE PIO

Our pilgrimage in San Giovanni Rotondo will begin in the beating heart of the sanctuary, in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where we will celebrate Mass and afterwards visit the English Office, founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims arriving in the town of Padre Pio. We will return to our hotel for lunch and in the afternoon visit the capuchin friary where Padre Pio lived and died, see the crucifix of the stigmata and have time for prayer at the tomb of Venerable Fra Daniele Natale, a close assistant of Padre Pio who lived out his Capuchin vocation through prayer, humility, and service to his brothers. Our day will conclude in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will spend time in prayer before the mortal remains of the great saint of our time.

Saturday, 24th April SHRINE OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, CASA SOLLIEVO DELLA SOFFERENZA

As we drive to the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel, we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael in the Gargano and of the many pilgrims that have travelled along this pilgrim path through the centuries. After Mass in the sacred cave, we will have time for private prayer or to stroll along the cobbled streets of the town with its quaint white-washed houses.


During our afternoon visit to Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, we will hear of the history of the hospital which is without doubt Padre Pio's greatest creation and of the wonderful work that continues to this day. As we walk the Way of the Cross, blessed by Padre Pio just hours before his passing, we will pause and enter reflectively into those last moments of Jesus' journey of love. After dinner there will be the opportunity to participate in the Torchlight procession at the sanctuary.

Sunday, 29th April RETURN HOME

After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to Naples airport, after having walked in the footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.