DAY 1: Thursday 17th July – Arrive Naples and visit Pietrelcina
Early morning departure from Dublin Airport at approx. 06:15hrs to Naples with Aer Lingus. Upon arrival and collecting our bags from the carousel, we will meet our Joe Walsh tours representative. With the full day ahead of us we will start our journey to Pietrelcina, with 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).
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. Mass and time permitting, we will have a walking tour of Piana Romana before continuing to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will spend the following four nights in the 4* Hotel Parco delle Rose on a Full Board Basis. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Friday 18th July – San Giovanni Rotondo
Today after breakfast and a good rest we will have the full day in San Giovanni Rotondo. We will be visiting the new and old Shrines. One of the most beautiful shrines to see in San Giovanni Rotondo is the Old Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie or Our Lady of Grace, a small church where Padre Pio lived, heard confessions, and prayed. Time also to visit the Capuchin Friary, the cell where Saint Pio lived and died, the crucifix before which he received the stigmata.
We will not miss the tomb of St. Pio and the English Office where we will hear about the extraordinary life of Padre Pio. Time to get back to the hotel to enjoy a beautiful summer evening.
DAY 3: Saturday 19th July – St. Michael’s Cave and San Marco in Lamis
This morning, we will visit and have mass in the shrine in the cave where the Archangel Michael appeared in the fifth century. St. Michael’s Cave. 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. Lunch back at the hotel before spending our afternoon in the nearby town of San Marco in Lamis and visit St. Matthew’s monastery. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
****Pizza in the hotel garden is on the menu tbc.
DAY 4: Sunday 20th July – San Giovanni Rotondo
After breakfast today will bring us to visit and enjoy the local and colourful market beside the hotel. Lunch followed by the visit of the Station of the Cross and mass. We will also visit to 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 care centres in Italy. Free afternoon for personal prayers and shopping and time to visit St Pio’s tomb.
DAY 5: Monday 21st July – Flight back to Dublin
Today is the last day of this beautiful pilgrimage. Free time for prayers, visit the Mary Pyle house or relax by the swimming pool of the hotel before being picked up for our flight back to Dublin departing Naples airport at 14:20 with Ryanair
