Carmelite Pilgrimage to Benevento, San Giovanni, Assisi and Rome

Sold Out
  • 28 September 2023
  • 7 Nights
  • 1199 Per Person
  • Dublin
  • Italy

This week-long Carmelites pilgrimage to Italy takes pilgrims to Benevento, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi, and Rome on a spiritual journey following in the footsteps of Saint Padre Pio and Saint Francis of Assisi before travelling to Rome and the Vatican, cradle of Catholic faith and home to magnificent buildings such as Saint Peter’s Basilica.

We’ll start our pilgrimage in San Giovanni Rotondo, in the region of Puglia, where we will learn about the life and work of Saint Padre Pio, visiting his hometown, the places where he lived, his resting place and other important religious sites.

Also in the region, we will visit the shrine cave of the Archangel Michael in Monte Sant’Angelo, a destination for pilgrims since the Archangel appeared in the 5th century and a place of devotion that has attracted many Saints and Popes over the centuries.

From Puglia we will travel inland to Umbria to explore the magnificent art and history of Assisi, the homeplace of Saint Francis. We will enjoy a walking tour of Assisi visiting the main sights of this wonderful medieval city including the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Basilica of Saint Clare and the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels where we will get to see the Porziuncola, the small chapel built by Saint Francis where he lived and where he started the Franciscan Order.

The last part of our pilgrimage journey will take us to the Vatican and Rome, the Eternal City where we will visit its magnificent Papal Basilicas: Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint John in Lateran, and Mary Majors. We will also take a guided tour of the city’s historical centre to take in all of Rome’s most iconic spots such as Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain.

For more information about this pilgrimage to Italy, or to book your place, contact our travel experts.

shrines of Italy Assisi pilgrimage to Italy Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages

Carmelite Pilgrimage to Benevento, San Giovanni, Assisi and Rome

This week-long Carmelites pilgrimage to Italy takes pilgrims to Benevento, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi, and Rome on a spiritual journey following in the footsteps of Saint Padre Pio and Saint Francis of Assisi before travelling to Rome and the Vatican, cradle of Catholic faith and home to magnificent buildings such as Saint Peter’s Basilica.

We’ll start our pilgrimage in San Giovanni Rotondo, in the region of Puglia, where we will learn about the life and work of Saint Padre Pio, visiting his hometown, the places where he lived, his resting place and other important religious sites.

Also in the region, we will visit the shrine cave of the Archangel Michael in Monte Sant’Angelo, a destination for pilgrims since the Archangel appeared in the 5th century and a place of devotion that has attracted many Saints and Popes over the centuries.

From Puglia we will travel inland to Umbria to explore the magnificent art and history of Assisi, the homeplace of Saint Francis. We will enjoy a walking tour of Assisi visiting the main sights of this wonderful medieval city including the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Basilica of Saint Clare and the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels where we will get to see the Porziuncola, the small chapel built by Saint Francis where he lived and where he started the Franciscan Order.

The last part of our pilgrimage journey will take us to the Vatican and Rome, the Eternal City where we will visit its magnificent Papal Basilicas: Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint John in Lateran, and Mary Majors. We will also take a guided tour of the city’s historical centre to take in all of Rome’s most iconic spots such as Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain.

For more information about this pilgrimage to Italy, or to book your place, contact our travel experts.

Itinerary

  • Return flights from Dublin
  • Transfer and tours in Italy by private coach
  • 1 night in Benevento
  • 2 nights in San Giovanni Rotondo
  • 2 nights in Assisi
  • 2 nights in Rome
  • Direct flight from Rome to Dublin
  • Check-in assistance at airports

DAY 1 – BENEVENTO

Today the group will travel from Dublin Airport to Naples. On arrival, we will be met by our Joe Walsh Tours pilgrimage co-ordinator and transferred by private coach to Benevento, where we will check into Grand Hotel Italiano. After lunch, we will have Mass at the Cathedral and enjoy a short walking tour of Benevento.

DAY 2 – SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

After breakfast we will travel to San Giovanni Rotondo. En route we will visit Pietrelcina, birthplace of Saint Padre Pio, and have Mass and free time for lunch (not included) before continuing our journey to Centro Spirituale Padre Pio. After checking in at the hotel, we will visit the remains of Saint Padre Pio before dinner, if time permits. We will then have dinner together at the hotel.

DAY 3 – SAN GIOVANNI, SAINT MATTHEW'S MONASTERY AND MONTE SANT'ANGELO

This morning we will visit and have Mass in San Giovanni Rotondo. After lunch we will travel to the nearby town of San Marco in Lamis and visit Saint Matthew’s Monastery. Then, we will continue to Monte Sant’Angelo, the cave shrine 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 Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Pio, and Saint John Paul II. We will then return to the hotel for dinner. 

DAY 4 – LORETO AND ASSISI

Today we will travel to Assisi, en route to Assisi we will visit and have Mass in Loreto. Once in Assisi, we will check into Hotel il Cenacolo, where we will stay for the next two nights. We will have breakfast and evening meal each day at the hotel.

DAY 5 – ASSISI

After breakfast we will take a walking tour of Upper Assisi and its main sights:

We will visit the impressive 13th-century Basilica of Saint Francis, mother church of the Franciscan order. Construction of the Basilica started just two years after the death of Saint Francis. This was uncommon at the time but the enthusiasm of the people to create a permanent home for the body of their beloved Francis pushed them to complete this masterpiece in just two years, an amazing feat for that era.

Another unmissable place in Assisi is the Basilica of Saint Clare, foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares. Saint Clare followed the teachings of Saint Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. Clare died in 1253 and her incorrupt body can be found at the Basilica. The original San Damiano cross, the cross that Francis was praying before when he received his commission to rebuild the church, can also be admired at the Basilica.

We will also visit the burial place of St Carolos Acutis and the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels which houses the Porziuncola, the abandoned chapel that Saint Francis restored. This was the chapel of Saint Francis’s first community and is the cradle of the Franciscan order.

The group will then enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

DAY 6 – ROME

This morning we will travel to Rome after breakfast. On arrival, we will visit and have Mass in Saint Peter Basilica, ultimate destination of pilgrims to Rome. Saint Peter's is the centre of Christendom as the tomb of Saint Peter lies directly under Michelangelo’s famous dome. Then, we will check in the hotel and will enjoy a free evening.

DAY 7 – SAINT FRANCIS FEAST DAY IN ROME

Today is Saint Francis feast day. We will enjoy a walking tour of the city and in the afternoon we will visit some of Rome’s most favourite sights including the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi fountain. Then we will return to hotel for dinner and overnight.  

DAY 8 – ROME TO DUBLIN

This morning the group will have some free time to explore Rome. We will check out of our accommodation and will enjoy some visits on our way to the airport for our evening flight. 

In the afternoon, we will visit Saint Paul Outside the Walls Basilica. The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, is one of Rome's four major papal basilicas, along with the basilicas of Saint John in the Lateran, Saint Peter's, and Saint Mary Major, as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. We will then travel to Rome Fiumicino Airport for our flight to Dublin.

  • Prices per person sharing double rooms with private facilities
  • Luggage allowance included per person and subject to airline’s conditions
  • Payment terms: deposit €300 per person plus insurance premium if applicable; balances 12 weeks prior to departure
  • Single rooms on request subject to supplement
  • Optional Travel Insurance:€39 up to 79 years:€78 per person 80 to 94 years, conditions apply; please check https://joewalshtours.ie/travel-insurance/ for full details on travel insurance
  • Passengers must comply with health and safety protocols in place at the time of travel

Join the waiting list


    Contact Us