Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

WEDNESDAY, 6th MAY 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. Our drive through the Green Heart of Italy will take us to Assisi, the town of St. Francis , St. Clare and resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis. After checking into our rooms in the Domus Pacis, located in the valley below the town of Assisi, we will have time to relax before visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli where we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage. During this special year for Franciscans, as we mark the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi, we will visit the Chapel of the Porziuncola where Francis realised his true calling and the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died on the 3rd of October 1226 - a truly sacred place for Franciscans.


THURSDAY, 7TH MAY ASSISI

Our morning drive will take us to the medieval town of Assisi where today we will hear of the life of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how they chose to relinquish their lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of poverty and prayer. We will hear also of the young Carlo Acutis who was a great follower of St. Francis and of his love for the poor. After time for prayer at his tomb, we will see details of his exhibition detailing the Eucharistic Miracles that have taken place through the centuries, including that which involved St. Clare at the Convent of San Damiano. There will be the opportunity for prayer in the Basilica of both St. Francis and Basilica of St. Clare and afterwards time at leisure for private sightseeing in the town of Assisi.


FRIDAY, 8TH MAY ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO

After breakfast, we will depart Assisi and drive to the town of Tolentino. St. Nicholas of Tolentino was a simple priest and Augustinian friar who touched the lives of many. His sprit of prayer, penance, austerity of life and devotion to the Holy Souls were notable and just like St. Francis of Assisi, his preaching brought many to Christ. This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Nicholas of Tolentino and afterwards venerate the remains of the patron saint of souls in purgatory. After time for private prayer, we will continue our drive to the town of Loreto, home to the Holy House of Nazareth which is undoubtedly the most treasured and venerated shrine of Our Lady throughout the world, attracting pilgrims who travel from afar looking for graces and blessings. This afternoon we will hear the story of the arrival of the Holy House in Loreto and visit the impressive basilica. After time for private prayer, we will drive to our hotel which overlooks the hills of Loreto.


SATURDAY, 9TH MAY HOLY HOUSE OF LORETO

We will spend the day today in Loreto, returning to the Basilica of the Holy House where we will celebrate Mass, join the faithful for prayer of the Holy Rosary and have our own personal time for private prayer and reflection.


SUNDAY, 10TH MAY HOLY FACE OF MANOPPELLO

This morning, we depart Loreto and drive to the small village of Manoppello. Described by St. John Paul II as �an oasis of peace�, the Sanctuary of the Holy Face is home to a remarkable veil upon which both sides present a man's face, revered by locals as the true face of Christ. Today we will celebrate Mass at the sanctuary, venerate the relic and hear of the investigations that have been carried out through the centuries and comparisons often made between that and the Shroud of Turin. As we continue our drive towards San Giovanni Rotondo we will hear of the early years of Padre Pio and the events which led to his arrival in the southern Italian town. Upon arriving at the Hotel Gaggiano, located within walking distance of the capuchin friary, we will have time to relax in our rooms before dinner.


MONDAY, 11TH MAY SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

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. Today we will walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo as we visit the ancient church where the humble friar celebrated Mass and heard confessions, the capuchin friary where we will see the cell where Padre Pio lived and died and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. During this month of May that marks the 70th anniversary of the inauguration of the hospital, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, we will hear of the history behind the hospital which is considered Padre Pio's greatest creation. In the English Office, established by Fr. Alessio Parente, we will receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar before concluding our day at the crypt where we will have time for private prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time.


TUESDAY, 12TH MAY SHRINE OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL & TOMB OF LUISA PICCARREA

Our morning drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo will take us 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 including St. John Paul II, St. Pio, St. Francis of Assisi and the soon to be canonised, Carlo Acutis. Today we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael in the Gargano and have time for private prayer. We will return to our coach and enjoy a drive along the Adriatic Coast to Corato, town of Luisa Piccarreta.

This afternoon we will visit the house of �The Little Daughter of the Divine Will�, hear of the life of Luisa and see her bedroom, precious relics, and copies of some of her writings, many of which have been published. Our visit to Corato will conclude with Mass in the Church of Santa Maria Greca where afterwards we will have time for prayer at the tomb of Luisa Piccarreta before returning to San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner.


WEDNESDAY, 13TH MAY PIETRELCINA

This morning, we will depart the town of Padre Pio and hear of the early years of Francesco Forgione in his native town of Pietrelcina, his dream of becoming �a monk with a beard� and of those who helped him to realise his dream. A walking tour of the town will take us to the room where baby Francesco was born, the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised and the parish church where he celebrated his first Mass. In nearby Piana Romana we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage and have time for prayer beneath the tree before which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. Afterwards, we will drive the short distance to Avellino where we will spend the last night of our pilgrimage in the four-star Bel Sito Hotel le Due Torri which boasts fine views of the surrounding picturesque Appennines.


Thursday, 14th May Return home After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive the short distance to Naples airport, concluding our pilgrimage, having walked in the footsteps of some of the great saints of our time.