Tuesday, 30th March Arrive Italy

This morning, we will fly from Shannon to Rome and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. The spectacular scenery will make for an enjoyable drive to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare and resting place of St. Carlo Acutis. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel and have time to relax before walking to the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to the Chapel of the Porziuncola where Francis realised his true calling and where on Palm Sunday of 1212, he accepted Clare into the Order. We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage and afterwards see the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died, and the Rose Garden where today miraculously grows the roses without thorns.

Wednesday, 31st March Assisi

Our day will begin with Mass in the Basilica of St. Clare where we will see the original San Damiano Cross which has been carefully preserved through the centuries and afterwards have time for prayer at the tomb of the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. Our next stop will be the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, made famous as the spot where Francis stripped himself of his fine clothes, thus relinquishing his wealthy lifestyle. In the same sanctuary today are the remains of St. Carlo Acutis, a young boy who was very much impressed by the figure of Francis of Assisi and liked nothing more than to help the poor. Today we will hear of the life of the young Carlo before spending time in prayer at the tomb of the first millennial canonised. Our day will conclude at the Basilica of St. Francis where we can admire the impressive frescoes and later have time for prayer at the tomb of the �Poor Man of Assisi.�

Thursday, 1st April Assisi

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. (Please note that the narrow path leading to the Convent of San Damiano will not permit tourist coaches to arrive at the entrance. It is approximately 15 minutes on foot to arrive at the convent. For those who wish to take a taxi, this can be organised and the taxi driver paid directly). We will return to Assisi for lunch and enjoy the afternoon at leisure with time for shopping and personal sightseeing.

Friday, 2nd April Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

This morning, we will enjoy views of the Adriatic Coast as we drive to the town of Lanciano, site of the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. After Mass in the Church of St. Francis, we will venerate the relics of the miracle which date back to the 8th century. After free time for lunch, we will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, as we hear of episodes in the early life of Francesco Forgione (future Padre Pio) and his dream of becoming a �monk with a beard.� Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel and have time to relax before dinner.

Saturday, 3rd April Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel

Capuchin friary & Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina After breakfast, we will drive to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo, the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Today we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael in the Gargano and have the privilege of celebrating Mass in the sacred cave. In the afternoon, our guided tour of the sanctuary will allow us to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo as we visit the capuchin friary, where we will learn more about the �poor friar who prays� as Padre Pio often described himself. Our day will conclude in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where there will be time for private prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time.

Sunday, 4th April English Office & Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

The English Office was founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo. After morning Mass, we will visit the English Office and learn more of the life of Padre Pio before receiving 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� which today is one of the most important hospitals in Italy. An important part in the story of Padre Pio, during our afternoon tour of the hospital we will learn of the history behind what is regarded as Padre Pio's greatest creation.

Monday, 5th April Pietrelcina

After breakfast, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive to Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio. After morning Mass, our guided tour will take us to the room where Francesco Forgione was born, the Church of Sant'Anna where he was baptised and Church of the Holy Family where are carefully preserved items dating back to Padre Pio's years spent in his native town. We will have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy a stroll through the quaint town before we drive the short distance to our hotel in Avellino where we will have time to enjoy the spectacular surrounding scenery before dinner.

Tuesday, 6th April Return home

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive the short distance to Naples airport, concluding our pilgrimage, having walked in the footsteps of some of the great saints of the catholic church.