DAY 1 � Tomb of Padre Pio

Our morning flight from London Gatwick will take us to Naples airport where we will be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages representative and driver who will remain with you for the duration of our pilgrimage. As we drive to San Giovanni Rotondo we will hear of some of the episodes from the early years of Padre Pio and the series of events that brought him to San Giovanni Rotondo. Upon arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo, we will check into our hotel and have lunch.

We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage of our pilgrimage in the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions and afterwards will visit the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where there will be time for private prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time. This evening after dinner we will return to the sanctuary for the Torchlight Procession.


DAY 2 � English Office, Tour of the Capuchin friary, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Way of the Cross

The English Office was founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo. After the celebration of morning Mass, we will visit the English Office and learn more of the life of Padre Pio before receiving a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar. Our guided tour of the sanctuary will allow us to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo which will include a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated his last Mass before continuing onto the capuchin friary, where we will see the cell where Padre Pio lived and died and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata.

In 1956 Padre Pio presented to the world his greatest gift, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza which today is now one of the most important hospitals in Italy. An important part in the story of Padre Pio, this afternoon we will visit to the hospital and learn of the history behind what is regarded as Padre Pio�s greatest creation, and of the wonderful work that continues to this day.

As we walk the Way of the Cross this evening it will allow us as Christians, to pause and enter reflectively into those last moments of Jesus's journey of love.


DAY 3 � St. Matthews Monastery & Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel

Padre Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and travelled on pilgrimage to the shrine in Monte Sant Angelo. During our morning drive to the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael, we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael and have the privilege of celebrating Mass in the sacred cave. Before returning to San Giovanni Rotondo, we will visit St. Matthew�s Monastery. Located along the Pilgrims Path, the monastery is a place rich in history, art, culture and above all, faith, and spirituality. During our visit we will receive a blessing with the relic of St. Matthew and Holy Oil.

We will have the afternoon at leisure with the opportunity for confession and to return to the crypt of Padre Pio for private prayer.


DAY 4 � Pietrelcina

This morning, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive to the town of Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio. Upon arrival in the quaint town, we will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Holy Family and afterwards visit the museum which has carefully preserved items dating back to Padre Pios time in his native town. Our guided tour of the town will take us to the Forgione family home where Francesco was born and the Church of Sant Anna where he was baptised. Our pilgrimage will conclude with a visit to nearby Piana Romana where we will have time for prayer before the tree beneath which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. Afterwards, we will drive the short distance to Montevergine and after checking into our hotel have time to relax before our Farewell Dinner.

DAY 6 � Return home

After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive the short distance to Naples airport for our return flight to London Gatwick

Please note as San Giovanni Rotondo is a hill-top town with a number of inclines which need to be negotiated to arrive at the sanctuary, it is not suitable for wheelchair users. As a result, there is no official local facility for hire of wheelchairs or mobile aids.