*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: Friday 17th July
Today, we depart from Dublin Airport on an Aer Lingus flight at 06:15 hrs. We are scheduled to arrive in Naples at approximately 10:40hrs, giving us a full day ahead.
Upon arrival, our Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to warmly welcome us. After collecting our luggage from the carousel, we will begin our journey by private coach to Piana Romana and Pietrelcina, the birthplace of Saint Pio. Here, we will visit significant sites including Saint Pio’s family home and the Church of St. Anna, where he was baptized and received his First Holy Communion.
We then continue on to San Giovanni Rotondo, where we will stay at the Parco delle Rose Hotel for four nights. Accommodation includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
Dinner and overnight after a first full day.
DAY 2: Saturday 18th July
Today, we dedicate the full day to exploring the sacred town of San Giovanni Rotondo, a place deeply connected to the life and mission of Saint Padre Pio.
Following morning Mass, we will visit the English Office, where we will learn more about the extraordinary life and spiritual legacy of Padre Pio. Our day continues with a guided visit to the Capuchin Friary, the heart of Padre Pio’s ministry. Here, we will see the modest cell where he lived, prayed, and eventually passed away, a humble and powerful reminder of his dedication to a life of service and sacrifice. We will also visit the crucifix before which he received the stigmata, a deeply moving and significant site for all who come to understand the depth of his spiritual journey.
We return to the Parco delle Rose Hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
(**Possibility to organise a pizza night in the Parco delle Rose garden tbc)
DAY 3: Sunday 19th July
Today promises to be a spiritually enriching and reflective day in San Giovanni Rotondo.
We begin the morning with a guided walk along the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), located on the hillside behind the sanctuary. This powerful devotional path features life-sized bronze statues depicting the Stations of the Cross. As we follow the route, we will have the opportunity to meditate on Christ’s Passion and unite our own intentions and prayers with His suffering.
Following this, we will visit the renowned Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of Suffering), the hospital founded by Padre Pio in 1956. Often referred to as one of his greatest earthly legacies, the hospital was created to combine the best of medical science with compassionate care rooted in Christian values. During our visit, we will learn about its foundation, mission, and the ongoing work it carries out today in the spirit of Padre Pio’s vision.
Lunch and free rest of the day for personal visits and prayers.
(**Hotel Parco delle Rose has an outdoor swimming pool at disposal for their guests)
DAY 4: Monday 20th July
In the morning, we will travel by private coach to the historic town of Monte Sant’Angelo, one of the oldest and most revered pilgrimage sites in Italy. The town offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and coastline. Our destination is the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pilgrims have visited this sacred grotto for centuries, drawn by reported apparitions of St. Michael the Archangel dating back to the 5th century. Here, we’ll have time for prayer, reflection, and exploration of the sanctuary, rich in history and spiritual symbolism.
Back to the hotel for lunch before visiting the Monastery of St Matthew in San Marco in Lamis and time permitting the cemetery.
Time to head back to San Giovanni for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Tuesday 21st July
After an early breakfast and check out we will be en route to Naples Airport for our flight back to Dublin departing at 11:40am.
