Day 1 - Wednesday, 1st April - Arrive San Giovanni Rotondo

This morning, we will fly from Dublin to Bari and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. As we drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, enjoying views of the coastline, we will hear of Padre Pio's early years growing up in his native Pietrelcina and the events which brought him to San Giovanni Rotondo. We will check into our hotel and after lunch, celebrate Mass in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions before making our way to the crypt where we will have time for prayer before the mortal remains of one of the great saints of our time.

Day 2 - Thursday, 2nd April - Holy Thursday

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 Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated his last Mass, the capuchin friary where he lived 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. This evening there will be the opportunity to attend the Mass of the Lord's Super, marking the beginning of the Easter Tridium.

Day 3 - Friday, 3rd April - Good Friday

Winding along the slopes of Monte Castellana, blessed by Padre Pio just hours before his death, is the monumental Way of the Cross. Walking the Way of the Cross on this Good Friday, allows us as Christians to pause and enter reflectively into those last moments of Jesus's journey of love. After dinner we will have the opportunity to witness one of the great traditions of the town when the local people come together for the Good Friday procession through the historical centre of San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 4 - Saturday, 4th April - Holy Saturday

Padre Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and travelled on pilgrimage to the shrine in the nearby town of Monte Sant'Angelo. During our morning drive, we will hear of the Apparitions of St. Michael the Archangel in the Gargano and have time for private prayer in the sacred cave. Time at leisure afterwards will give us the opportunity to stroll through this unique town with its quaint, white-washed houses. As we return to San Giovanni Rotondo we will visit the cemetery where the remains of the parents of Padre Pio, Mary Pyle and those who played such an important part in the life of St. Pio are entombed. This evening after dinner we will have the opportunity to attend the Easter Vigil ceremony in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.

Day 5 - Sunday, 5th April - Easter Sunday

As we approach the 70th anniversary of the inauguration of the hospital, �Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza�, on this Easter Sunday morning we will celebrate Mass at the hospital which is considered Padre Pio's greatest creation. After Mass we will visit the museum, hearing about the history behind the hospital and the wonderful work that continues to this day. An afternoon at leisure will give us the opportunity to return to the crypt for private prayer before driving to Bari airport for our return flight to Dublin, after having walked in the footsteps of one of the great saints of our time.