DAY 1 - Abbey of Montevergine

This morning we will depart from Shannon to Naples airport. In the arrivals hall we will be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages guide and driver who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. As we drive to our hotel, we will enjoy some stunning views of the countryside. Arriving at the Bel Sito Hotel le Due Torri, we will have a light lunch and check into our rooms.

This afternoon we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the nearby Abbey of Montevergine which has, for almost nine centuries, been one of the most venerated Marian shrines in the region of Campania. Afterwards we will hear of the interesting history behind the abbey and have time to enjoy this beautiful sacred site which imparts a sense of peace and tranquillity with its stunning views.


DAY 2 - Pietrelcina

This morning we will begin to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio, starting with a visit to his birthplace of Pietrelcina. We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Church of the Holy Family and afterwards visit the museum which has carefully preserved items relating to the early years of Padre Pio. During our guided walking tour of the town, we will learn of the young Francesco Forgione (the future Padre Pio) with visits to his family home where he was born and the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit Piana Romana and have time for prayer before the tree beneath which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. We will enjoy breath-taking views as we drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years. Upon arrival at the Hotel Fini, located within walking distance of the sanctuary, we will check into our rooms and have time to relax before dinner.


DAY 3 - Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace, Capuchin friary, Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

This morning we will celebrate Mass in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace, where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and spent many hours hearing confessions. Afterwards, during our visit to the English Office we will hear more of the life of Padre Pio and receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar.

In the afternoon we will begin to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his time in San Giovanni Rotondo with a visit to the capuchin friary where we will see the cell where the humble friar lived and died and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. Our day will conclude with a visit to the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will have time for private prayer before the mortal remains of the great saint of our time.


DAY 4 - Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel & Manfredonia

After breakfast we will drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, home to the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel. In the sacred cave we will celebrate Mass and afterwards have time for lunch or to stroll through the cobbled streets of this unique town with its quaint, white-washed houses.

Once an important port hub of the Roman period, today the town of Manfredonia is a bustling seaside resort where the atmosphere is cheerful and dynamic, typical of a tourist town. In the afternoon we will drive to Manfredonia and have time for shopping or to enjoy a walk along the promenade, stopping off to sample a �gelato� in one of the many famous ice-cream parlours.


DAY 5 - �Casa Soll5evo della Sofferenza� & Historical Centre of San Giovanni Rotondo

In 1956 Padre Pio presented to the world his greatest gift, �Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza� which today is now one of the most important hospitals in Europe. After morning Mass, we will visit the hospital and learn of the history behind what is regarded as Padre Pio's greatest miracle.

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. His presence transformed San Giovanni Rotondo into what was regarded as a remote agri-cultural town into a �Hospital City� and place of pilgrimage. Despite the transformation of the town, the traditions have very much remained. After lunch, we will enjoy an afternoon walk through the cobbled streets of the histori-cal centre of San Giovanni Rotondo and hear of the history of the town, it's unique traditions and see some of the places visited by Padre Pio. This evening, we will enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants and have the oppor-tunity to sample some of the local produce of the area.


DAY 6 - Local Markets, Way of the Cross, House of Mary Pyle

We will have the morning at leisure, with the opportunity to browse the weekly market in San Giovanni Rotondo. After lunch we will celebrate Mass and later 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. Afterwards there will be the opportunity to visit the house of Mary Pyle, located near to the sanctuary. �L'Americana,� as she was known by the locals of San Giovanni Rotondo gave us a lavish lifestyle to move to San Giovanni Rotondo. She built a home, close to the Capuchin friary, and opened the doors to pilgrims who came from afar to attend Padre Pio's Mass. This afternoon we will hear of the history of Mary Pyle and of her wonderful works of charity.


DAY 7 - Convent of Sant'Anna, Foggia & Cemetery in San Giovanni Rotondo

This morning we will drive to the town of Foggia where we will celebrate Mass in the Church of Sant'Anna and af-terwards visit the friary where Padre Pio spent a brief period in 1916. Before returning to San Giovanni Rotondo we will visit the local cemetery where the remains of the parents of Padre Pio and Mary Pyle are entombed. We will have the afternoon free with the opportunity to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.


DAY 8 - Return home

After breakfast we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive to Naples airport as we return to our homes filled with a sense of joy, tranquillity, and peace in our hearts.