How to Make a Pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo
Saint Padre Pio has a unique role in my life. I feel a special connection with him after visiting his tomb in San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy.
St Padre Pio has been my spiritual advisor and guide ever since I made my pilgrimage to San Giovani Rotondo. Exceptional joy and blessings filled my pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo.
Thus, I recommend making a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo at least once in a lifetime.
And, here is my guide on how to make a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo and how to visit the Sanctuary of Padre Pio in Italy.
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Pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo Padre Pio Italy
I made a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo independently. I flew to Brindisi in Puglia, picked up a rental car at the airport, and drove to San Giovanni Rotondo. Brindisi and San Giovani Rotondo are 3 hours away. Besides visiting the Sanctuary of Padre Pio and the Sanctuary of Sant Angelo, I explored the region on a road trip. Puglia in southern Italy is enormously beautiful. It is a shame not to see a bit of Puglia while on a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo. So, rent a car, visit the Sanctuary of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, and explore Puglia (Apulia).
Let me start with the basics. Let me explain where the Sanctuary of Padre Pio in Italy is, how to get to San Giovanni Rotondo, what the Sanctuary of Padre Pio looks like, and where to stay in San Giovanni Rotondo.
But, firstly, let me make a short intro to Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
1. Who was Padre Pio
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina is one of the most popular Catholic saints in Italy and beyond. He was born in the small village of Pietrelcina in Campagna, Italy, and lived most of his life in the convent in San Giovanni Rotondo in Puglia, Italy.
Saint Padre Pio is among the most beloved saints in Italy, along with St Francis of Assisi (the saint patron of Italy) and St Anthony of Padua.
Humble Padre Pio is considered one of the greatest mystics of the 20th century. This modest Franciscan Capuchin friar spent most of his life in poverty, obedience, and chastity in the Capuchin convent of San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy.
He was a mystic and stigmata. His stigmata wounds bled for 50 years (until his death). Padre Pio had many spiritual gifts like the gift of tongues, the gift of reading hearts, the gift of bilocation, levitation, healing, prophecy, and miracles. In addition, Padre Pio, a humble servant of God, was known for his deep piety and great charity.
Padre Pio lived in San Giovanni Rotondo from 1916 until 1968 (the year when he died). He died on September 23, 1968. Thus, his Feast Day is September 23. About 100,000 people attended his funeral in San Giovanni Rotondo on September 26, 1968.
Pope John Paul II proclaimed Padre Pio ‘Saint Pio of Pietrelcina’ in the Vatican on June 16, 2002. 300,000 worshippers of Padre Pio were there on that day.
2. Where is the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in Italy
The Sanctuary of Padre Pio, also called Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church, is in San Giovanni Rotondo.
San Giovanni Rotondo is a small town in the Puglia region, southern Italy. Bari is the capital of Puglia. Puglia is famous for its picturesque landscapes, the longest coastline in Italy, the coast of the two seas (Adriatic and Ionian seas), beautiful towns (like Bari, Lecce, Alberobello, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, etc), delicious food and welcoming people.
Besides that, Puglia is a famous Catholic pilgrimage destination for the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo and Monte Sant Angelo. Sanctuaries of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo and San Michele in Monte Sant Angelo are the two famous Catholic pilgrimage sites in Italy. These two sanctuaries are only 30 minutes apart. Most pilgrims who visit teh sanctuary of Padre Pio, also visit the Sanctuary od San Michele. I did it, too.
The official name of the sanctuary of Padre Pio is the Sanctuary of Saint Mary, Our Lady of Grace. However, it is popularly known as the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina since his remains are there.
The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo is among the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites worldwide. 6 million people visit the sanctuary annually.
The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina is the second largest church in Italy (only Milan Cathedral is vaster). It covers about 65,000 ft2 (6,000 m2) and can receive up to 16,000 people. 6,000 people can sit, and 10,000 people can stand inside the Sanctuary. But that is not all. There is a big courtyard with the capacity to receive 30,000 people more. A fountain and 24 olive trees are in the churchyard. The fountain represents the Jordan River, and the 24 trees represent the 12 prophets of the Old Testament and the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.
Not less important to mention, the Sanctuary is built only by the contribution of worshippers of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina!
3. The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo is one of the most impressive churches in Italy.
It is a masterpiece of ultra-modern architecture designed by Renzo Piano. The sanctuary looks like a shell made from the local Apricena stone. The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina was opened on July 1, 2004.
The sanctuary’s three main parts are the Liturgical Hall, the Chapel of the Eucharist, and the Crypt Chapel.
The Liturgical Hall is the first part you will see as you enter the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. An altar (designed by Arnaldo Pomodoro) with a big octagonal tabernacle is the center of the liturgical hall. A pulpit, made of a single block stone, is near the altar. A colorful stained glass window with the scenes of the Apocalypse of St. John is on the right side of the altar. A handmade organ with 5,800 pipes is on the left side.
After the liturgical hall, head to the Chapel of the Eucharist. The Chapel of the Eucharist has beautiful resurrection-themed frescoes and scenes depicting the life of Padre Pio. However, its central point is a stunning tabernacle in the middle of the chapel. It is made from a single lava block from the Mt Etna volcano.
After visiting the Chapel of the Eucharist, proceed to the Crypt Chapel. You will find the intact body of Saint Padre Pio in a glass coffin there. A ramp with spectacular mosaics will take you from the Chapel of the Eucharist to the Crypt Chapel. The mosaics on its right side show the scenes related to the life of Padre Pio, and the mosaics on the left relate to the life of St Francis of Assisi.
The Crypt Chapel is the most beautiful part of the sanctuary. Mosaics in the chapel are out of this world. They show the scenes of the life of Christ and the Biblical scenes that inspired Padre Pio and St Francis of Assisi.
If you decide to make an independent pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, you might enjoy the San Giovanni Rotondo: Spiritual Experience of Saint Pio tour.
4. The Sanctuary complex
The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina is a big complex with the ‘original church’, the ‘old church’, and the modern shrine (where the body of Padre Pio lies).
The ‘original church’ and the ‘old church’ (Chiesa Antica) are next to the modern shrine.
The original church & the old church
The original church was the small and modest church where Padre Pio prayed and celebrated Holy Masses in the first years of his spiritual life in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Over time, the sanctity of Padre Pio attracted many pilgrims to San Giovanni Rotondo. So, the original church was enlarged over time. The enlarged original church is officially called the church of Our Lady of Grace (chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie) But, it is popularly known as the ‘old church’.
The intact body of Padre Pio was originally in an underground tomb in the old church. His body was first moved to a crypt in the old church and then to the new shrine (where it is now).
Padre Pio celebrated Holy Masses on a side altar in the ‘old church’ for four decades. He heard confessions and prayed there.
A Capuchin convent is adjacent to the ‘old church’. Padre Pio lived in that convent. Some parts of the convent are open to visitors. There you can see the small conventual chamber of Padre Pio.
The Pilgrims Centre
The pilgrims’ center is on the left side of the old church. Pilgrims can get all the needed info about the Sanctuary and San Giovanni Rotondo there. Besides that, they can request a Holy Mass for their intentions.
I requested a Holy Mass for my intention there and gave a modest contribution. I filled out a short form for the mass intention. I wrote my name, surname, home address, and the mass intention as required on the form.
After a few months from my pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, I started unexpectedly receiving beautiful greeting cards and gifts from the Sanctuary every few months. They bring a special joy to my heart and feelings of strong connection to St Padre Pio.
Home of the Relief of Suffering
Padre Pio was known for his charity work. He and his followers built a hospital near the old church. The hospital is called Home of the Relief of Suffering (Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza). The hospital was built solely by the donations of followers of St Padre Pio. The Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza had 300 beds in 1956, the year it opened. Today, the hospital has over 1000 beds. And, the Home of the Relief of Suffering in San Giovanni Rotondo is one of Europe’s most reputed scientific research hospitals.
Way of the Cross
Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) is a path with the Stations of the Cross on the hillside near the hospital. It is a lovely and peaceful site for visiting and praying.
Opening times of the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina:
The Sanctuary is open from 7 am to 7 pm every day.
Holy mass in the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina:
7.30 am, 10 am, 11.30 am, and 6 pm (Mon-Sat)
7.30 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 6 pm (Sun & holidays).
Holy mass in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (‘the Old Church’):
6.30 am, 8.30 am, 4.30 pm (Mon-Sat)
6.30 am, 8.30 am, 4.30 pm, 7.30 pm (Sun & holidays)
5. Where is San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy
San Giovanni Rotondo is on the Gargano peninsula in Puglia, southern Italy.
San Giovanni Rotondo is less than 2 hours from Bari and 3 hours from Brindisi. Both cities (Bari and Brindisi) have airports. San Giovanni Rotondo is also 2 hours and 30 min from Naples.
6. How to get to San Giovanni Rotondo
San Giovanni Rotondo is easily reachable from Bari, Brindisi, Naples, and Rome.
Bari Airport is the nearest to San Giovani Rotondo. San Giovanni Rotondo is 1 hour and 50 min from Bari Airport. If you can find a flight to Bari Airport, book it!
Renting a car is affordable in Puglia, and driving is easy in this part of Italy. The best way to travel to Puglia is by car. Check out car rentals at Bari Airport, rent one, and head to San Giovanni Rotondo.
San Giovanni Rotondo has no train station. You could take a train from Bari Centrale train station to Foggia and then a bus from Foggia to San Giovanni Rotondo. But, this option is time-consuming.
Brindisi Airport is 2 hours and 50 minutes from San Giovanni Rotondo. That is also a good option for reaching San Giovanni Rotondo. I flew to Brindisi Airport, picked up the car I rented online before my departure, and drove to San Giovanni Rotondo.
I already mentioned that San Giovanni Rotondo has no train station. So, you could take a train ride from Brindisi to Foggia and then from Foggia to San Giovani Rotondo by bus. This option is time-consuming again. Also, there are no direct buses from Bridnisi to San Giovanni Rotondo. A bus ride from Brindisi to Foggia and from Foggia to San Giovanni Ronoto is an option. This journey takes about 4 hours.
Naples International Airport is 2 hours and 30 minutes from San Giovani Rotondo. You can fly into the airport, rent a car, and head to San Giovanni Rotondo.
Another option is to take a train ride from Napoli Centrale (the central train station in Naples) or Naples Garibaldi train to Foggia and then take a bus ride from Foggia to San Giovanni Rotondo. But, this journey takes up to 6 hours.
A final option is to take a bus ride from Naples to Foggia and from Foggia to San San Giovanni Rotondo. A bus journey from Naples to San Giovanni Rotondo lasts about 4 hours.
Rome is 4 hours from San Giovanni Rotondo.
Many pilgrims visit the Sanctuary of Padre Pio of Pietrecilina on a day tour from Rome. This Padre Pio Shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo Private Tour from Rome (Viator). This tour lasts up to 12 hours.
You can check out rental cars at Rome Fiumicino Airport (the main airport in Rome) or Ciampino Airport in Rome if you prefer an independent pilgrimage.
Direct buses run from Rome to San Giovanni Rotondo. A bus ride from Rome Tiburtina bus station to San Giovanni Rotondo takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes.
Optionally, you can take a train ride from Roma Termini train station to Foggia and then from Foggia to San Giovanni Rotondo daily. This journey takes up to 4 hours.
7. Where to stay in San Giovanni Rotondo
Hotel Vittoria – a 4-star hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Sanctuary of Padre Pio and next to the Home of the Relief of Suffering hospital.
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