DAY 1: 8th September – Padua
Our Dublin rep will meet the group at departures to assist with check in for our flight to Venice. Upon arrival at Venice Airport, we will meet our Joe Walsh Tours representative in Italy and travel to Padua by private transfer. You will have a break for lunch and after lunch we will visit and have mass at the magnificent Basilica of Saint Anthony. This beautiful Romanesque Church is one the most visited sanctuaries in Italy, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of ‘Lost articles’. After the visit, the group will enjoy dinner together at the hotel.
DAY 2: 9th September – Exploring Padua
After breakfast and Mass in the Sanctuary of Saint Leopold Mandić, a 16th-century church that houses the tomb of the Capuchin Friar Leopold Mandić, we will enjoy a guided visit of the Basilica.
Time for lunch and rest before taking a walking tour of Padua city centre, visiting its many historical sites including St Giustina Basilica and its magnificent squares, including Prato della Valle known for its ancient public market and the famous Scrovegni Chapel, a Romanesque Gothic Church known for Giotto’s masterpiece fresco.
DAY 3: 10th September – Loreto and Assisi
After breakfast and check out, it is time to travel to Assisi. On our way we will stop in Loreto. Located in the Marche region of central Italy and close to the Adriatic Coast, Loreto is a special place for Catholic pilgrims as 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 and 1587.
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. A visit and Mass in Loreto will be followed by lunch before continuing on our way to Assisi.
DAY4:11th September – In the footsteps of Saint Clare, Saint Francis and Blessed Carlo Acutis
Today we will be visiting Assisi, an unmissable pilgrimage destination in Italy, a beautiful city-sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Subasio in the region of Umbria.
Pilgrims have been visiting Assisi for hundreds of years to honour the life, work and message of Saint Francis and his disciple Saint Claire. There are many exquisite historic buildings and shrines to visit in this extraordinary historic town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built in the 16th century, and the Porziuncula chapel, one of Saint Francis’ favourite places.
The group will then visit the Upper Assisi Basilica of Saint Clare and the Basilica of Saint Francis, resting place of Saint Francis and the town’s most important sanctuary. If possible, we will be celebrating Mass in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as Sanctuary of the Spoliation, where Blessed Carlo Acutis is buried.
DAY 5: 12th September – Lanciano and San Giovanni Rotondo
After breakfast, we will check out and travel to San Giovanni Rotondo, a small town in the province of Foggia, home of Saint Padre Pio and one of the most important centres of Catholic pilgrimage.
On the way to San Giovanni, we will stop in Lanciano, home to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The town is known for the first recorded Catholic Eucharistic Miracle, which is kept in a silver and glass reliquary. We will have mass in the church of San Francesco before continuing to San Giovanni Rotondo.
DAY 6: 13th September – In the footsteps of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo
Today we will enjoy a full day in San Giovanni Rotondo, 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.
We will also visit the Capuchin Friary, the cell where Saint Pio lived and died and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata; and the tomb of St. Pio and the English Office, where we will hear about the extraordinary life of Padre Pio.
DAY 7: 14th September – Visit to St Matthew’s Monastery & Monte Sant’Angelo
This morning, we will travel to the nearby town of San Marco in Lamis with its beautiful market and visit St. Matthew’s monastery.
Before heading to San Marco we will also be visiting the Station of the Cross. After lunch, we will then continue to Monte Sant Angelo where we will have mass in 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.
DAY 8: 15th September – San Giovanni Rotondo
This morning, after a good sleep and a full breakfast we will be having a free and relaxing day in San Giovanni.
After mass at the Sanctuary, we will 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 care. Free rest of the day for Prayers and to visit the Mary Pyle House for those who might be interested.
DAY 9: 16th September – San Giovanni to Benevento
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel we will be traveling to Pietrelcina and Piana Romana, birthplace of Saint Pio. We will visit St. Pio’s family home and the church of St. Anna where Padre Pio was baptised and received his First Holy Communion.
When St Pio was an ordained priest living in Pietrelcina, Francesco used to walk to Piana Romana after mass, taking the path through the woods (the Rosary Walk). After a busy day, it is time to check in to the hotel in Benevento for our last night.
DAY 10: 17th September – Travel back to Dublin
Today is unfortunately our last day of this wonderful and meaningful pilgrimage. After breakfast and check out, we will be picked up from the hotel and head to Naples airport for our return flight to Dublin.
