Friday, 25th April

We will depart in the afternoon from Dublin to Naples and upon arrival, be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages representative and drive to our hotel in Avellino where we will spend the first night of our pilgrimage. Upon arrival we will have dinner before checking into our rooms.


Saturday, 26 April

Pietrelcina & Piana Romana

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel as we begin our pilgrimage in the footsteps of Padre Pio. As we drive to the town of Pietrelcina, we will hear of the early years of Padre Pio and how he fulfilled his dream of becoming a monk with a beard. We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Church of the Holy Family and afterwards visit the museum where precious items have been preserved dating back to Padre Pio's years spent in Pietrelcina. Our walking tour of the town will include a visit to the Forgione family home where Padre Pio was born and Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we will drive to nearby Piana Romana and see the tree before which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. As we drive to San Giovanni Rotondo we will hear of the events that brought Padre Pio to the southern Italian town. Upon arrival, we will check into our rooms have time to relax before dinner. This evening we will have the opportunity to participate in the Torchlight Procession.




Sunday, 27th April
Church of Our Lady of Grace & Capuchin friary

This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the Church of Our Lady of Grace (the Old Church) where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions. Immediately after our Mass, we will enjoy a guided tour of the capuchin friary, where we will learn more about the poor friar who prays as Padre Pio often described himself. Here we will have the opportunity to see the cell once occupied by the humble friar and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. Our morning schedule of activities will conclude with a visit to the Crypt where we will have time for private prayer before the mortal remains of the great saint of our time.

After lunch we will gather for our guided private group prayer session on this Divine Mercy Sunday, the theme of which is: Padre Pio and the Divine Mercy
Padre Pio was indeed a great model of Mercy and this afternoon we offer devotees of Padre Pio this wonderful opportunity to participate in a guided two-hour prayer session, featuring music and reflections on Padre Pio and the Divine Mercy. We will have some time at leisure afterwards before coming together for dinner in our hotel.

Monday, 28th April
English Office, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, and Padre Pio's Way of the Cross

After morning Mass, we will visit the renowned English Office where we will hear more on the life of Padre Pio and receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar.

In 1956 Padre Pio presented to the world his greatest gift, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the Hospital as it is more commonly known by all, a project that was brought to realisation by Padre Pio during his lifetime. This afternoon, we will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Museum, which is a treasure-trove of artefacts connected with Padre Pio and the development of this world-renowned medical facility.

We will follow the Way of the Cross recounting the Life of Jesus and the intertwining with the life of Padre Pio as reflected in the Stations of the Cross in San Giovanni Rotondo. Given the Easter Octave Season, we will by Praying the Psalms with Jesus as we walk the way of the cross, entering reflectively into those last moment of Jesus's journey of love. We will have the evening at leisure with the opportunity to stroll through the historical centre of San Giovanni Rotondo and sample some fine local produce in one of the many trattorias.


Tuesday, 29th April

Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel, San Giovanni Rotondo Cemetery & Stations of the Cross

After breakfast we will drive to the town of Monte Sant Angelo, home to the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel. We will celebrate Mass in the sacred cave which has been visited through the centuries by countless Popes and Saints.

We will enjoy lunch in a pictureqsue hill-top restaurant in Monte Sant'Angelo, with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, following which we will return to San Giovanni Rotondo, stopping off to visit the cemetery of San Giovanni Rotondo where we will have a short private guided prayer session for the Holy Souls in the Cemetery Chapel, following which we will have time for visitation, prayer, and reflection at the tombs of the parents of Padre Pio, Mary Pyle, and our dear friends Fr. Alessio and Fr. Joseph Pius, plus other friars and individuals that were such a part of Padre Pio's earthly life during his time in San Giovanni Rotondo.

On return to our hotel for dinner, we will have the rest of the evening free to make last minute visits to the Shrine or to avail of some time for personal shopping.




Tuesday, 29th April
This morning, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive to Naples airport for our return flight to Dublin, returning to our homes filled with the Peace and Hope of Easter, and a sense of tranquillity, rejuvenation, and gratitude in our hearts.