After exams in February, a group of friends and I went on pilgrimage to Puglia, Italy, where San Giovanni Rotondo and the famous St. Michael's Cave are located. San Giovanni Rotondo, is the Shrine of Padre Pio and is the second most visited Shrine in the world. St. Michael's Cave, also known as the Sanctuary of Monte San Michele, is known to have been visited by the Archangel, himself, in 490, 492 and 1656. The sanctuary has been a popular place of pilgrimage for many centuries: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Gerard Majella, St. William of Vercelli and six popes have made the pilgrimage here to ask for St. Michael's protection. It was a very important time of prayer and reflection for all of us. It was time to pray, to be refreshed and to prepare for another semester of study. I found praying before the body of Padre Pio and receiving Holy Communion in the Cave of St. Michael to be almost overwhelming. It was a beautiful opportunity to hold many of my family and friend's prayer intentions before the Lord. Also, we had much time for eating, conversation and seeing surrounding sites!
Built in 2004: The Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church
The Church of Santa Maria della Grazie (contains Pio's cell and where his tomb originally was). This church was built during Padre Pio's life and with his in put on how he would
like it to look and where he would be buried.
The old church where Padre Pio would celebrate the Holy Mass.
The main altar in the Church of Santa Maria della Grazie.
The three girls: Natalie, Anna and me jumping in front of a Crusader fort.
Sanctuary of Monte San Michele Arcangelo
Our pilgrimage group: Matthew, A.J., Anna, Natalie, John and Me
Exploring Gargano, Italy (where the Sanctuary of St. Michael is located)
See sites below.
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