Thursday, 5th November 2026
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 Pietrelcina, we will hear of Padre Pio's years spent in his native town and after lunch in a
local restaurant, enjoy a guided tour as we visit the Forgione family home where Padre Pio was born and
the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised. Our visit to Pietrelcina will conclude with the celebration
of Mass in the Church of the Holy Family before driving to our hotel in nearby Avellino where we will
spend the first night of our pilgrimage.
Friday, 6th November
Mass at the convent of Montefusco will be followed by a visit to the cell once occupied by Padre Pio
during a brief period spent in the remote friary. Afterwards, the picturesque landscape will make for an
enjoyable morning drive to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years.
After lunch, we will begin to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Our guided tour will take us to the capuchin friary and cell where the saint lived and died, the Church of
Our Lady of Grace where he celebrated his last Mass and the old tomb where his remains rested for forty
years. Our day will conclude in the crypt of the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where we will have time
for prayer before the mortal remains of the great saint of our time.
Saturday, 7th November
Morning mass at the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace, where Padre Pio celebrated Mass will be
followed by a visit to the English Office where we will receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix of the
capuchin friar.
Perched upon Monte Castellano, overlooking the town of St. Pio is the monumental Way of the Cross.
This afternoon 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.
Sunday, 8th November
On the 5th of May 1956, Padre Pio presented to the world his greatest gift, �Casa Sollievo della
Sofferenza.� During this year which marks the 70th anniversary of the hospital, we will have the privilege
of celebrating Mass in the chapel of the hospital where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and afterwards hear
of the history of the hospital and of the wonderful work that continues to this day. An afternoon at
leisure will allow us the opportunity for confession or to return to the crypt of St. Pio for private prayer.
Monday, 9th November
With a long list of saints through the centuries having made the pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Michael
the Archangel, this morning we will follow in their footsteps as we visit the oldest shrine in Western
Proposed Itinerary
Pilgrimage to Shrines of St. Pio, St. Michael the Archangel & St. Philomena
Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael in the nearby town of Monte Sant'Angelo. We will celebrate
the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in the sacred cave and afterwards have time at leisure for lunch and
to explore the unique town with its quaint, white-washed houses.
Our afternoon drive will take us to the Shrine of St. Philomena, the Greek Princess and Virgin Martyr who
died at just 13 years of age. We will have time for private prayer at the altar of the saint and later visit the
museum which will reveal details of a series of events which led to her untimely death and of the many
miracles that have occurred since the translation of her remains to this beautiful shrine.
Afterwards we will drive the short distance to Naples airport for our return flight, concluding our
pilgrimage journey.
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