*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 26th June
Depart Dublin Airport for the early flight to Naples at 06:15hrs. We will be landing at approximately 10:40am, ready to be met by our Joe Walsh tours representative.
Upon collecting our bags from the carousel, we will 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. Time for Mass before continuing to San Giovanni Rotondo, where we will stay in the Centro di Spiritualita’ for four nights on a Full Board basis. Check in the hotel time and to rest. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Saturday 27th June
Today after a full breakfast, we will have the full day in San Giovanni Rotondo. After the morning Mass, we will visit 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, and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. 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 a full day time to head back for dinner and a relaxing evening.
DAY 3: Sunday 28th June
Today after breakfast we will have a leisurely morning. Our day will start with mass in one of the chapels of the hotel.
Time for prayers, relax at the hotel or explore the city. A local market might be taking place the last Sunday in the city centre, it is the perfect occasion to discover the typical flavours and local crafts. Time for lunch back 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 get back to the hotel and enjoy the evening.
DAY 3: Monday 29th June
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. Free afternoon and rest of the day for personal visits and shopping.
Time to go back to the hotel and preparing for tomorrow’ departure to Assisi.
DAY 4: Tuesday 30th June
After an early breakfast and check out we will travel to Lanciano and Loreto (time permitting), before arriving to Assisi. In the 8th Century, a Church in Lanciano was the location for the first and greatest Eucharistic miracle of the Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 – 10:45 in the Chiesa del Miracolo. Time for lunch before continuing our journey to Loreto, where we will visit the Holy House, one of the most sacred places in the world. Time to check in the Hotel Da Angelo where we will be spending the next 3 nights on a Half Board Basis.
DAY 5: Wednesday 01st July
Today after breakfast, we begin our day exploring Lower Assisi with a visit to the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli built in the 16th century and home of the Porziuncola. Mass (time tbc). Time for lunch in a local restaurant suggested from our tour guide before visiting in the afternoon upper Assisi and the inspiring 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and his tomb, the town’s most important sanctuary. We will visit the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis are housed. Our final stop of the day will be the Basilica of St. Clare, the foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares. St. Clare was a devoted follower of St. Francis and embraced his ideals by living a life of poverty and humility. After a full day back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6: Thursday 02nd July
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 be visiting 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.
Time to get back to Assisi for our last night.
DAY 7: Friday 03rd July
Today is the last day of this beautiful pilgrimage. After breakfast and check out from the Hotel we will be picked up around 09:30 – 10:00am and start making our way to Rome for our afternoon flight back to Dublin. We will stop along the way for lunch. Our afternoon flight will depart at 15:10 from Rome Fiumicino.
