DAY 1: Wednesday 17th June
Early morning departure from Dublin Airport aboard the Aer Lingus flight scheduled for 06:15 hrs. You will be landing in Naples at approximately 10:40hrs, where we will be met by our Joe Walsh Tours representative. After collecting our luggage from the carousel, we will travel by private coach to San Giovanni Rotondo. During our transfer, ample opportunity to enjoy scenic views of the beautiful Italian countryside, as well as hearing some inspirational words of the early years of Francesco Forgione (the future Padre Pio). Stop en-route for some snacks/sandwiches (at your own expenses) at a service station before visiting to Pietrelcina.
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. Afterwards, we will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will check in at the Centro di Spiritualità, our accommodation for the next three nights on a full board basis.
DAY 2: Thursday 18th June
This morning after a good sleep and a full breakfast we will be spending the full day in San Giovanni. Mass will be celebrated at 09:30am in the crypt, followed by the visit of 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. One of the most beautiful shrines to see in San Giovanni Rotondo, the Old Church of Santa Maria
delle Grazie or Our Lady of Grace.
Back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon time to pay a visit the hospital “Home for Relief of the Suffering”, which now welcomes many patients, being one of the best health care centres in Italy.
Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: Friday 19th June
This morning, we will depart for Monte Sant’Angelo, home to the sacred grotto where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in the 5th century. A long line of Saints and Popes have visited this holy site to pray, including St. Francis of Assisi, St. Pio, and St. John Paul II. Mass in the Cave will be celebrated before going back to the hotel for lunch.
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.
A chapel will be booked in the Centro di Spiritualita’ from 4pm to 10pm for healing and worship. Dinner and overnight accommodation.
DAY 4: Saturday 20th June
After an early breakfast and check out we will travel to Lanciano and Loreto 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 Casa Papa Giovanni, where
we will be spending the next 4 nights on a Half Board basis.
DAY 5: Sunday 21st June
After breakfast, we begin our day exploring Upper Assisi with a visit to the awe-inspiring 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and his tomb, the town’s most important sanctuary. There will be free time for lunch, shopping, or simply strolling through the cobbled streets of this beautiful medieval town, where it often feels as though time has stood still.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis are housed. Mass will be celebrated there at 15:00 hrs.
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: Monday 22nd June
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: Tuesday 23rd June
After a good breakfast and check out we will be picked up from the hotel to discover Lower Assisi and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli built in the 16th century, where the Porziuncola, the cradle of the Franciscan Order is, and where the original community of brothers made their home is enshrined also, his cell, the famous rose garden and place where St. Francis departed this life. Mass, followed by lunch. Free rest of the day for personal prayers and shopping.
DAY 8: Wednesday 24th June
Today is the last day of this wonderful pilgrimage. After breakfast and check out we will be picked up from the hotel and we will make our way to Rome for our flight back to Dublin.
