Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

DAY 1 - Thursday, 21st May Arrive Padua
We will depart this morning from Dublin to Venice and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. As we drive the short distance to Padua, we will hear of the traditions of this part of Italy and of the plans for the coming days ahead. This evening, we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the basilica dedicated to the saint and afterwards have time for prayer. Located in the old town of Padua, right next to the basilica is the Casa del Pellegrino, our hotel during our time in Padua. After checking into our rooms there will be time to relax before dinner. DAY 2 - Friday, 22nd May Basilica of St. Anthony & Shrine of St. Leopold Mandic
St. Anthony of Padua Born in Lisbon in 1195 and given the name Fernando. At the early age of 15 years, he entered the religious order of St. Augustine however after some time and despite challenges from the Augustinians he left the Order and received the Franciscan habit, taking the name Anthony. Thought by his fellow friars to be uneducated Anthony became one of the great preachers and theologians of his day. Anthony died when he was only thirty-six and had been a Franciscan just 10 years. The following year Pope Gregory IX, moved by the many miracles that occurred at Anthony's tomb, declared him a saint. After breakfast, we will return to the Basilica of St. Anthony for Mass and afterwards enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent basilica, hearing of important episodes in the life of St. Anthony who was a powerful Franciscan preacher and is patron saint of the poor and regularly invoked for the return of lost property. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and afterwards visit the Sanctuary of St. Leopold Mandic, a capuchin friar known as the Apostle of the Confession and Unity. We will have time for prayer at the tomb and afterwards have time at leisure for personal sightseeing in Padua before returning to our hotel for dinner. Day 3 - Saturday, 23rd May Chapel of the Porziuncola & Chapel of the Transito
Today the picturesque landscape towards the �Green Heart of Italy� will make for an enjoyable drive to Assisi, stopping for lunch enroute. We will check into the Domus Pacis, located in the valley below the town of Assisi and afterwards visit the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. 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. After the celebration of Mass, we will see the Rose Garden where today miraculously grows roses and this evening, after dinner, will participate in the Torchlight Procession. Day 4 - Sunday, 24th May Guided walking tour of Assisi
After morning Mass, we will drive to the town of Assisi. The name Carlo Acutis became known throughout the world when in October 2020, in the presence of his parents and siblings, he was beatified in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The young Carlo had the capacity to enjoy life in a simple way, and just like Francis was not impressed by material things. Today we will visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, Pat O' Connor Pilgrimage to Padua & Assisi the resting place of the first millennial beatified and hear of Carlo's great faith and how he used his computer skills as a means of evangelisation. After sampling some local produce with lunch in a local restaurant, we will embark on a walking tour of the medieval town. Accompanied by our local guide, we will hear of the lives of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how they relinquished lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of charity and prayer. Our day 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.� We will return to hotel for our evening meal. Day 5 - Monday, 25th May Convent of San Damiano & Cathedral of San Rufino
Carlo Acutis had a passion for Information Technology and was fascinated by the potential good it could bring. With a small computer he did extraordinary things, creating a website on the Eucharistic Miracles - the contents of which formed an exhibition that would travel the world. Amongst the Eucharistic Miracles documented is that of St. Clare of Assisi which took place at the Convent of San Damiano. Located in a beautiful setting just outside the walls of Assisi, this morning we will celebrate Mass at the Church of San Damiano and afterwards visit the convent where we will see the Refectory, the Dormitory where St. Clare died and beautiful cloister. As we return to the town of Assisi, we will visit the Cathedral of San Rufino, and after venerating the heart relic of St. Carlo Acutis, we will have time for private prayer. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and have the afternoon at leisure will give us the opportunity for shopping and personal sightseeing. Day 6 - Tuesday, 26th May Return home
This morning, we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage and drive to Fiumicino airport, stopping for lunch enroute, after having walked in the footsteps of some of the great saints of the Catholic Church.