*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 – DUBLIN TO NAPLES
Your journey start from Dublin Airport on the 06:15 flight to Naples, landing approximately at 10:40. After collecting our bags, our Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to meet and greet us on arrival before being transferred by private coach to begin our journey to Pietrelcina.
Time for snacks and lunch followed by a short but insightful visit of St. Pio’s houses and family home and the church of St. Anna, where Padre Pio was baptised and received his First Holy Communion. The Mass will be celebrate here.
After, we continue to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will stay in the Centro di Spiritualita’ for four nights with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Check in on the hotel and time to rest before the dinner.
DAY 2 – SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Today after breakfast we will spend the full day in San Giovanni. After the morning Mass, we will 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 cares.
After such full and interesting day, back to the hotel to enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.
DAY 3 – MONTE SANT ANGELO & LAMIS
After breakfast we will 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. Also, Mass will be celebrate 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 4 – SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Today after breakfast we will have a leisure morning. Time for prayers, relax by the pool at the hotel or to explore the town of San Giovanni Rotondo. Then, time for lunch in the Centro di Spiritualita.
In the afternoon we will be visiting 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.
Time to enjoy the last day in San Giovanni with a nice dinner or pizza in the garden of the hotel if time/weather permitting.
DAY 5 – SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO TO ALBA ADRIATICA
After breakfast and check out from the hotel, today we will be traveling to Alba Adriatica. On our way we will be visiting the small town of Lanciano, near the Adriatic Coast. Another wonderful place of pilgrimage, as this shrine is the location of the first and greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. Pilgrims have travelled to the Sanctuary in Lanciano since then to see the miracle, which is kept in a silver and glass reliquary.
We will also be visiting the Shrine of the Holy Face in Manoppello, preserved in a church part of a monastery belonging to Capuchin friars.
After a long and event full day, we will be checking in the Meripol Hotel, where we will be spending the next three nights with breakfast and dinner.
DAY 6 – ALBA ADRIATICA
After breakfast our first day will start in this beautiful town in the Abruzzo region we will have an orientation walking tour of the main city centre and places of interest such as the Vibrata Tower or Sant’Eufemia Parish.
Then we will have plenty of opportunities to relax and stroll along the many beaches. Later, Mass will be celebrated. Back to the hotel for dinner and time to enjoy the summer evening.
DAY 7 – LORETO
After breakfast we will be traveling to Loreto. Loreto is a special place for Catholic pilgrimages it is home to the Shrine of the Holy House of the Virgin Mary, located in the Basilica della Casa Santa. This Late Gothic and Renaissance-style Basilica was built between 1469 to 1587 and according to research, it contains three sides of the house in Nazareth where Mary was born and lived during the time she received the Annunciation from the Archangel Gabriel.
Next, we can enjoy our free time and back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 – TRAVEL BACK
This is our last day. After breakfast and check out from the hotel, we will be starting to get ready for our way to Rome. Before our afternoon flight back, we might have the chance to briefly visit the famous St. Gabriel Shrine, the most attended places of worship in Italy.
Time to head to Rome airport for our flight back home departing at 15:20 to Dublin. We hope you had a wonderful time.
