DAY 1 - Saturday, 2nd May Arrive Italy

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. As we drive to our hotel in Avellino, enjoying views of the surrounding Apennine Mountains, we will hear of the traditions of the area and of our plans for the forthcoming days.


DAY 2 - Sunday, 3rd May Pietrelcina

After morning Mass, views of the picturesque landscape will make for an enjoyable drive to Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio. Our walking tour will take us to the room where baby Francesco was born and the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised. As we walk along the cobbled streets of the quaint town we will hear of Padre Pio's years spent in his native town and of his dream of becoming a monk with a beard. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years.


DAY 3 - Monday, 4th May Capuchin friary & Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

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. This morning, we will walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo as we visit the ancient church where the humbl 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. In the English Office, established by Fr. Alessio Parente, we will receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar.

As we approach the 70th anniversary of the inauguration of the hospital, �Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, this afternoon 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.

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 5 - Tuesday, 5th May 70th Anniversary of the Inauguration of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

On this, the 70th anniversary of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, we will join with the faithful today as we mark such a wonderful milestone.

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. Time at leisure will give us the opportunity to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.


DAY 6 - Wednesday, 6th May Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel

This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, home 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. In the sacred cave we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage before driving to Naples airport, concluding our pilgrimage, having walked in the footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.