DAY 1: Friday 06th June – Pietrelcina
Early morning departure from Dublin Airport at approx. 06:15hrs to Naples.
Upon arrival, we will meet our Joe Walsh Tours representative. En route to Pietrelcina, have ample opportunity to enjoy scenic views of the beautiful Italian countryside and hear some inspirational words of the early years of Francesco Forgione (the future Padre Pio). Walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio in his quaint little town and learn about his dream of becoming “a monk with a beard” and visit the family home where Padre Pio was born and the Church of Sant’Anna where he was baptised.
We will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will spend the following three nights in the 4* Hotel Parco delle Rose on a Full Board Basis.
DAY 2: Saturday 07th June – San Giovanni Rotondo
Today we will have the full day in San Giovanni Rotondo. We will be visiting the new and old Shrines. One of the most beautiful shrines to see in San Giovanni Rotondo is the Old Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie or Our Lady of Grace, a small church where Padre Pio lived, heard confessions and prayed.
You will have time to visit the Capuchin Friary, the cell where Saint Pio lived and died, the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. We will not miss the tomb of St. Pio and the English Office where we will hear about the extraordinary life of Padre Pio.
DAY 3: Sunday 08th June – San Marco in Lamis and Monte Sant Angelo
This morning we travel to the nearby town of San Marco in Lamis with its beautiful market and visit St. Matthew’s monastery. Before heading to San Marco we will also visit the Station of the Cross. After lunch we will continue to Monte Sant Angelo. We will visit and have mass in 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. Mass and return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Monday 09th June – Loreto to Cascia
This morning, after breakfast and check out, we will depart San Giovanni and visit Loreto en route to Cascia. Loreto is a special place for Catholic pilgrims as it is the most treasured and venerated Shrine to Our Blessed Mother throughout the world. The Holy House of Nazareth is enshrined in the impressive Basilica della Casa Santa. According to tradition, it was transported by the angels during the night to the town of Loreto for security.
There will be ample time to celebrate Holy Mass, get the Holy Oil of Loreto, have lunch and stroll along the streets of this unique town taking in the many sights before heading to Cascia.
Check in the Hotel Meraviglia where we will spend the next 4 nights on a Half Board Basis.
DAY 5: Tuesday 10th June – Cascia
Today after breakfast we will have a full day exploring Cascia. The city of Cascia is ideal for those looking for spiritual peace, tranquillity and beauty.
Located in the Italian Province of Perugia in Umbria, Cascia is important in the history of Catholic Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church because it is the birthplace of Saint Rita who lived from 1381-1457. We will visit many attractions including the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia. The Basilica of Saint Rita or tomb of Saint Rita is one of the most famous shrines in Cascia and a beautiful space for its magnificent architecture and art. We will have mass in the Lower Basilica at 17:00.
Nowadays Saint Rita is celebrated in May (to coincide with the anniversary of her death) in Cascia with a 10-day celebration that refers to the history and tradition of the Saint.
DAY 6: Wednesday 11th June – Cascia
Today we will have time to relax and spend the day in Cascia. We will have free time for prayers and explore in depth where Saint Rita lived and preached her faith and where the Eucharistic miracle is preserved. Saint Rita is also known as “the Saint of the desperate cases and the seemingly impossible.”
Visit the Market and take in all the beautiful corners of this town. Mass will be celebrated in the morning followed by a video on St Rita and the visit of the Monastery.
DAY 7: Thursday 12th June – Roccaporena
Today after breakfast we will make our way to Roccaporena, the birthplace of Santa Rita.
One of the many places to visit on your pilgrimage to Cascia is Roccaporena, a small town in the Italian province of Teramo, lying on the slope of Mount San Benedetto.
This alluring village, known to have existed since the Middle Ages, is also believed to be the place where Saint Rita prayed and lived. The town has several other interesting attractions to see, from Casa Natal de Santa Rita or “The House of Saint Rita” where the Saint was born and her family home, the Orto del Miracolo or “Miracle Orchard”, and Santuario di Saint Rita, a sanctuary dedicated to the Saint.
DAY 8: Friday 13th June – Travel Back to Dublin
Today is the last day of this beautiful pilgrimage. After breakfast and check out from the Hotel Meraviglia, we will be picked up around 9.30am and start making our way to Rome for our afternoon flight back to Dublin. We will stop along the way for a quick lunch.
Our flight will depart at 15:10 from Rome Fiumicino.
