Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *



Wednesday, 1st October Arrive San Giovanni Rotondo
We will depart in the afternoon from Dublin to Bari and on arrival will be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. As we drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, we will hear of some episodes from Padre Pio's years spent in his native Pietrelcina. Upon arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo, we will have time to relax in our rooms before dinner.

Thursday, 2nd October Ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace, English Office, Crypt of St. Pio
This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions. We will visit the English Office, founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims, and receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar. Our afternoon guided tour of the sanctuary will allow us to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo. We will see the Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated his last Mass, the Old Tomb where his remains rested for over forty years and capuchin friary, where we will learn more about the poor friar who prays as Padre Pio often described himself. Our day will conclude with a visit to the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will have time for prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time.

Friday, 3rd October Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel
Padre Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel. This morning, we will drive to the nearby Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in the town of Monte Sant'Angelo. We will celebrate Mass in the sacred cave and afterwards have time to stroll the cobbled streets of this quaint town. Before returning to our hotel, we will visit the cemetery in San Giovanni Rotondo where the remains of the parents of Padre Pio and Mary Pyle are entombed. After dinner, we will have the opportunity to join with the Capuchin community in the Church of Our Lady of Grace as we mark the �Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi,� on the eve of his feast day.

Saturday, 4th October Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi
This morning, we will drive to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Incoronata, which dates to an apparition of the Virgin Mary which took place in April 1001 which according to tradition, appears to have been the first time the Virgin Mary claimed to be the Mother of God after she was given the title in 431. We will celebrate Mass and have time for private prayer before the statue of Our Lady with the Baby Jesus, which was placed on the knee of Our Lady by Pope John Paul II during his visit on the 24th of May 1987. In the afternoon we will visit St. Matthew's Monastery, a place rich in history, art, culture and faith, and spirituality. During our visit we will receive a blessing with the relic of St. Matthew and Holy Oil. This evening, after dinner, we will have the opportunity to participate in the procession through the town as the faithful come together to celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

Sunday, 5th October Monastery of the Resurrection & Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza
Nestled into the side of the mountain is the Monastery of the Resurrection, home to the Capuchin Poor Clares Sisters. In the tranquil setting we will celebrate morning Mass and afterwards have time for private prayer. 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. During our afternoon visit to the hospital, we will learn of the history behind what is regarded as Padre Pio's greatest creation.

Monday, 6th October Way of the Cross
After morning Mass, 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. The afternoon at leisure will give us the opportunity for confession or to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.

Tuesday, 7th October Piana Romana & Pietrelcina
This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Piana Romana where we will celebrate Mass. We will visit the farmhouse of the Forgione family and Chapel of St. Francis where is carefully preserved the tree before which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. After lunch we will enjoy a walking tour of Pietrelcina visiting the room where Padre Pio was born and Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised before continuing our drive to the town of Pompeii. After checking into our rooms, we will have time to relax before dinner.

Wednesday, 8th October Basilica of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii
This morning, we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in the Basilica of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary, and afterwards hear of the life of its founder Bartolo Longo and his great works of charity. We will have time for prayer before the miraculous painting of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary before driving to Naples airport, after having walked in the footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.