DAY 1 - Monday, 11th May 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 before driving to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years.


DAY 2 - Tuesday, 12th May Capuchin friary & Crypt of St. Pio

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. 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. In the English Office, established by Fr. Alessio Parente, we will receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar. 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 - Wednesday, 13th May 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.

In the afternoon we will visit the cemetery in San Giovanni Rotondo and the chapel where the remains of the parents of Padre Pio, Mary Pyle, and those who played an important part in the life of Padre Pio are entombed.

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 - Thursday, 14th May Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza & Way of the Cross

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.

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. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure will allow time for confession or to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.


DAY 5 - Friday, 15th May Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano & Chapel of the Porziuncola

Our morning drive along the Adriatic Coast will take us to the town of Lanciano, site of the first Eucharistic Miracle of the catholic church. After morning Mass in the Church of St. Francis, we will venerate the relics of the Eucharistic Miracle that date back to the 8th century and see details of the exhibition on the Eucharistic Miracles realised by St. Carlo Acutis.

Views of the picturesque landscape will make for an enjoyable drive through the Green Heart of Italy, to Assisi, town of St. Francis and St. Clare and resting place of St. Carlo Acutis. After checking into our hotel, located in the valley below the town of Assisi, we will have time to relax before visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to the Chapel of the Porziuncola, 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 understood his true calling and accepted Clare into the Order and the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died on the 3rd of October 1226. In this sacred place for Franciscans, we will conclude our day in prayer.


DAY 6 - Saturday, 16th May Basilica of St. Clare, Tomb of Carlo Acutis & Basilica of St. Francis

This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the basilica dedicated to St. Clare and afterwards venerate the original San Damiano Cross before which Francis was praying when he heard the famous words of the Lord. In the crypt of the basilica rest the remains of St. Clare and the museum which carefully preserves items connected with the lives of both Francis and Clare.

Afterwards we will visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, made famous as the spot where the young Francis of Assisi publicly relinquished his lavish lifestyle, in favour of a life of prayer. The sanctuary is today the resting place of the first millennial canonised and another great follower of Francis of Assisi, Carlo Acutis. The young Carlo had the capacity to enjoy life in a simple way, and just like Francis was not impressed by material things. In this place of great significance, we will hear more of the life of Carlo and see his exhibition documenting the Eucharistic Miracles that took place through the centuries, including that which took place at the Convent of San Damiano.

During our guided afternoon tour, as we walk along the cobbled streets of the ancient town, we will learn of the life of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how they chose to relinquish their lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of poverty and prayer. Our day will conclude in the Basilica of St. Francis where we will admire the famous frescoes and pray at the tomb of the founder of the Franciscan Order on this 800th anniversary year of his death.


DAY 7 - Sunday, 17th May Convent of San Damiano

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. Afterwards, we will depart Assisi and drive to Rome. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel and have dinner.


Monday, 18th May Basilica of St. Mary Major & Tomb of Pope Francis

The Basilica of St. Mary Major is the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome and home to the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani; an Icon of the Virgin Mother and Child, credited with saving the city of Rome from the plague during the late sixth century. This morning, we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in this majestic basilica and afterwards have time for prayer at the tomb of Pope Francis before driving to Fiumicino airport, concluding our pilgrimage, having walked in the footsteps of some of the great saints of our time.