*Please note this pilgrimage involves a certain amount of walking and physical activity, such as stairs, standing for extended periods and walking on uneven surfaces; especially when visiting historical and religious sites. We kindly ask that you assess your comfort level with these activities before booking and travel with a companion that can provide assistance if required. If you have any mobility concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to discuss.
DAY 1: Monday 5th May- Rome
Depart Dublin Airport, at approximately 06:50hrs. We will be landing in Rome 10:55hrs with the full day ahead of us. Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to meet and greet us on arrival. Upon collecting our bags from the carousel, we will be transferred by private coach to Santa Maria Maggiore area for lunch, in one of the many local cafes’ or Bistrot’s, suggested by our experienced tour guide (your own expense).
After some refreshments, we will have a walking tour of the area, followed by the visit and Mass of this important Basilica. St Mary Major is one of Rome’s four major Papal Basilicas and the largest Marian Church.
Time to head to the Cardinal St Peter Hotel situated between the green of Villa Doria Pamphili, only a few minutes from the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, where we will be staying for the next 2 nights on a half-board basis. Time to check in, dinner, and overnight.
DAY 2: Tuesday 6th May – St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square, Holy Door
Today after breakfast our day will begin with a guided tour of the famous St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square and the Holy Door. St Peter Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, and the burial site of its titular. (Mass in St Peter Basilica time to be confirmed).
After such a full and interesting morning time for lunch before starting our walking tour of Rome’s main sites. We will be admiring the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the Spanish Steps and the former Roman temple “Pantheon”. Time to visit and have Mass in Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. This is the end of our day; we will be transferred back to the hotel to enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.
DAY 3: Wednesday 7th May – Papal Audience
After a very early breakfast and check out from the hotel, this morning we will have the opportunity to participate in the Papal Audience. Pilgrims and visitors will have the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal blessings or Apostolic blessings. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English. After a beautiful and insightful few hours, we will leave Rome and head to Assisi.
Lunch en route before arriving at St. Francis Birthplace. On arrival in Assisi, we will visit and have mass in S. Maria degli Angeli where the Porziuncola, the cradle of the Franciscan Order is, and where the original community of brothers made their home is enshrined also, his cell, the famous rose garden and place where St. Francis departed this life. Time to check in the BV Grand Hotel Assisi for a relaxing evening. We will stay in Assisi for 2 nights on a Half Board Basis.
DAY 4: Thursday 8th May – Assisi
This morning our coach will take us to upper Assisi where we will spend our day on a walking tour beginning with the Basilica of St. Clare where we will see the original San Damiano cross, and amongst other relics on display, her long hair which was cut off by St. Francis during her religious profession, her habit and her cord belt.
Next, we will be visiting the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, the Church where Blessed Carlo Acutis’s remains are displayed, and the place where it is renowned that St. Francis relinquished his wealthy lifestyle, cast off his rich clothes, choosing instead a torn patched-up tunic and life of poverty.
There will be ample time for lunch, browsing the shops, and walking through the quaint medieval streets savouring the atmosphere of Assisi.
Our walking tour of the town will conclude at the impressive 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis, renowned as The Mother Church of The Franciscan Order. Time for mass before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Friday 9th May- Lanciano and Loreto
Today after breakfast and check out we will travel to Lanciano and Loreto before arriving at San Giovanni Rotondo. In the 8th Century, a Church in Lanciano was the location for the first and greatest Eucharistic miracle of the Catholic Church. During. In Loreto, we will visit the Holy House, one of the most sacred places in the world.
Time to check in the Hotel Parco delle Rose where we will be spending the next 3 nights on a Full Board Basis.
DAY 6: Saturday 10th May – San Giovanni Rotondo
Today after a full breakfast we spend the full day in San Giovanni.
After the morning Mass visit to the English office where we hear about the extraordinary life of Padre Pio and the Capuchin Friary, the cell where Saint Pio lived and died, the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. If time permitting, we will also visit part of the hospital ‘Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza. In his life, the Saint of Pietrelcina, Padre Pio, gave special welcome to those people who, like him, were sick or experiencing any kind of suffering. He founded the hospital Casa
Sollievo della Sofferenza in solidarity with them. The hospital, also known as “Home for Relief of the Suffering”, now welcomes many patients, being one of the best health care.
After a full day time to head back for dinner and a relaxing evening.
DAY 7: Sunday 11th May – Monte Sant Angelo and San Marco in Lamis
This morning we travel to the nearby Monte Sant Angelo, the shrine in the cave where the Archangel Michael appeared in the fifth century. A long list of Saints and Popes have visited this cave to pray to the Archangel, among them St. Francis of Assisi, St Pio and St John Paul II. We will also have mass there before going back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we will be visiting the town of San Marco in Lamis with its beautiful market and visit St. Matthew’s monastery. Time to return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: Monday 12th May – Trave back home
This is the last day of this beautiful pilgrimage. We will be departing for our way to Naples airport around 09:30am for our 14:20 flight back to Dublin. Free time in the morning for personal prayers or to briefly visit the Station of the Cross or else known as the Monumental Way of the Cross. This monument consists of a forested path through a pine forest on the hillside above Santa Maria delle Grazie. There are 16 sculptures positioned in this area.
