Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

DAY 1 - Wednesday, 7th October 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. Views of the picturesque landscape will make for an enjoyable drive to Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio. After lunch in a local restaurant, our afternoon walking tour will take us to the room where Padre Pio was born, the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised and the Church of St. Mary of the Angels where we will celebrate Mass. Our day will conclude with a visit to nearby Piana Romana before driving to our hotel in Avellino, where we will spend the first night of our pilgrimage.

DAY 2 - Thursday, 8th October Capuchin friary & Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Our morning drive will take us to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years. After checking into the four-star Hotel Vittoria there will be time to relax in our rooms before lunch. 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 Padre Pio lived and died and the museum where are carefully preserved items dating back to Padre Pio's years spent in San Giovanni Rotondo. Our day will conclude in the crypt where we will have time for private prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time.

DAY 3 - Friday, 9th October Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel

This morning, as we drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, home to the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael in the Gargano and celebrate Mass in the sacred cave. Time at leisure will allow us the opportunity to explore the quaint hill-top town before enjoying lunch in a local restaurant enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. From the moment of his arrival in the southern Italian town, Padre Pio had a deep affinity for the local people of San Giovanni Rotondo. Despite the transformation of the town, the traditions have very much remained. As we return to San Giovanni Rotondo we will have time at leisure for shopping or to stroll along the cobbled streets of the historical centre of the town, visited by Padre Pio during his early years in San Giovanni Rotondo.

DAY 4 - Saturday, 10th October English Office & Way of the Cross

After morning Mass in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace, we will visit the English Office and receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar. Winding along the slopes of Monte Castellana, blessed by Padre Pio just hours before his death, is the monumental Way of the Cross. After lunch, we will walk the Way of the Cross which allows us as Christians to pause and enter reflectively into those last moments of Jesus's journey of love. After dinner there will be the opportunity to participate in the Marian Torchlight Procession.

DAY 5 - Sunday, 11th October Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

In a year which marks the 70th anniversary of the inauguration of the hospital, �Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza�, this morning we will celebrate Mass at the hospital and afterwards hear of the history behind what is considered Padre Pio's greatest creation and of the wonderful work that continues today. Time at leisure will give us the opportunity to return to the crypt for private prayer and after lunch we will enjoy views of the coastline as we drive to Bari airport, concluding our pilgrimage, having walked in the footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.