Perdono del Gargano

A journey of faith in the heart of the Gargano

The Perdono del Gargano is one of the most intense and well-attended spiritual events in Puglia. Every year, at the end of June, thousands of pilgrims—mostly young people—walk across the Gargano promontory along the ancient route connecting two of the most revered shrines in Southern Italy: the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant'Angelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in San Giovanni Rotondo, the city of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, in the province of Foggia.

The route: approximately 26 km on foot

The March of Forgiveness is the highlight of the event. Following the blessing of the pilgrims, the procession departs in the afternoon from the Archangel's Grotto and winds for about 26 kilometers along the paths and roads of the Gargano, walking through the night until reaching San Giovanni Rotondo. This nocturnal journey, marked by prayer, hymns, and silence, concludes with the evocative Rite of the Opening of the Door at midnight, at the ancient church where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and where the perpetual plenary indulgence is granted.

Origin and meaning

Established in 2018 and promoted by the Youth and Vocational Pastoral Care of the Friars Minor Capuchin together with the Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, the Perdono del Gargano draws its name from the concept of forgiveness and reconciliation. The physical exertion of the walk becomes a metaphor for the inner journey toward conversion: a penitential pilgrimage where the physical and spiritual dimensions intertwine, offering participants the opportunity to approach the sacrament of reconciliation and receive an indulgence.

A multi-day event

The program generally spans several days, featuring Eucharistic celebrations, prayer vigils at the Archangel's Grotto, and moments of catechesis that prepare for the march. The solemn closing concelebration, presided over each year by a guest bishop or cardinal, is held on July 1st at the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace. The main celebrations are broadcast live on Padre Pio TV and the event's official channels.

The Gargano, a land of saints and paths

The Perdono del Gargano is part of the extraordinary pilgrimage tradition of this corner of Puglia, the Spur of Italy: from the Via Sacra Langobardorum toward the Michaelic grotto to the paths of Saint Pio, the Gargano has been a destination of faith for centuries. Participating in the Perdono means experiencing, in a single night, the spirituality, nature, and history of a unique territory, amidst ancient shrines, forests, and views of the Adriatic Sea.