Relics of St Francis of Assisi Pilgrimage Itinerary
*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.
DAY 1: Friday 06th March – Depart from Dublin
Early departure from Dublin Airport, at approximately 06:25hrs with Aer Lingus.
We will be landing in Rome at approximately 10:40am, with the full day ahead of us. Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will meet and welcome us all on arrival.
We will then be transferred by private coach to the birthplace of St. Francis, the hill town of Assisi in the central part of Italy.
Visit and Mass in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the cradle of the Franciscan order. We will be visiting the Porziuncola, the chapel of St. Francis’ first community and the chapel of the ‘Transito’, where St. Francis died, which are both housed here. This is also where St Claire received the Franciscan cowl from St. Francis in 1211.
Time to check in the family run Hotel Da Angelo where we will be staying for the next 3 nights on a Half Boar basis. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Saturday 07th March – Upper Assisi
Today, after breakfast, we will start our day and festivities, visiting Upper Assisi. We will have a leisurely walking tour of medieval Assisi, beginning with the visit and Mass in the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, the Church where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ remains are displayed, and the place where it is renowned that St. Francis relinquished his wealthy lifestyle, cast off his rich clothes, choosing instead a torn patched-up tunic and life of poverty.
There will be ample time for lunch, browsing the shops, and walking through the quaint medieval streets savouring the atmosphere of Assisi.
AFTERNOON:
Free afternoon for personal prayers and visits.
Optional excursion to be paid locally to the Hermitage of St.Damian. The visit of this place is done or on foot or on Taxi.
Built in the 12th century, St.Damian is the Church where St. Francis received the Mission from Christ, or visit St.Clare Monastery where we will see the original San Damiano crucifix, and amongst other relics on display, her long hair which was cut off by St. Francis during her religious profession, her habit and her cord belt. The Hermitage or Le Carceri is a place up in Monte Subasio where St. Francis used to go with his friends
We recommend doing both. Meet back at the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: Sunday 08th March – Assisi
After a good breakfast today, we will finally be visiting the impressive 13th-century Basilica of St.Francis, renowned as the Mother Church of the Franciscan Order. As this year holds the saints remains, we will have plenty of time to visit the Basilica, pay our respects and prayers. On this dayyou will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to access the Veneration of the Relics of Saint Francis.
The relics of the Saint will be displayed in the Lower Church of the Basilica. At 10:00, you will have a self-guided tour, following the relics of the Saint with a personal and silent moment of veneration. Time for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will travel to the nearby comune of Rivotorto, in Assisi, for Mass.
The Sanctuary of Rivotorto is a place of immense significance for the Franciscan movement, built over the original huts where Saint Francis and his first followers lived and prayed. Visitors can see the reconstructed cells, the church built over the humble dwellings, and a Latin inscription that translates to “Here was the beginning of the Friars Minor,” making it a crucial pilgrimage site for understanding early Franciscan history.
Time to go back to the hotel for our last dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Monday 09th March – Orvieto and Travel back home
This morning marks the final day of our memorable journey.
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel and completing check-out, we will depart for Orvieto, a stunning hilltop city in the Umbria region.
Upon arrival in Orvieto, we will have time to explore the historic city centre, with its charming narrow streets, artisan shops, and panoramic terraces overlooking the Umbrian valley. Highlights include the Piazza del Duomo, the Torre del Moro (a medieval clock tower offering sweeping views), and the Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick’s Well), an engineering marvel from the Renaissance era.
A special moment of the day will be Mass at Orvieto Cathedral (Duomo di Orvieto), one of Italy’s most splendid Gothic churches. Here, we will visit the Chapel of the Corporal, where the sacred relic of the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena is kept. This profound experience will be a fitting conclusion to our spiritual journey.
In the afternoon, we begin our final journey to Rome, a scenic drive of approximately two hours. Upon arrival at the airport, we will check in for our evening flight to Dublin, departing at 20:25.
