Planning a Pilgrimage to Lanciano

Half a day is enough for the shrine itself: seeing the relics, attending Mass and praying in silence. If you would like to explore the town and the coast, stay two or three days. Spring and autumn are the best seasons; high summer is hot and the coast is crowded.

With Lanciano as your base you can reach by car or coach:

• Ortona (about 20 km): Basilica of San Tommaso with the relics of the Apostle Thomas.
• Manoppello (about 50 km): the Volto Santo, a veil bearing the face of Christ.
• Isola del Gran Sasso (about 110 km): Shrine of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
• San Giovanni Rotondo (about 190 km): tomb of Saint Padre Pio.
• Loreto (about 190 km): the Holy House of Nazareth.

Day 1: travel to Lanciano. Day 2: shrine, old town and cathedral. Day 3: Manoppello and Ortona. Day 4: San Giovanni Rotondo, with Monte Sant'Angelo if you wish. Day 5: return via Loreto or Rome.

Pilgrim groups should contact the shrine in good time if they wish to celebrate their own Mass or have a guided visit. Priests should bring their celebret. Many parishes and pilgrimage agencies include Lanciano in their tours of Italy.