Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Upper Gardens admission sold until 5 p.m.
Masks must be properly worn at all times while visiting The Grotto. Please maintain six feet of space for social distancing and follow all instructional signs.
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Mass at The Grotto
Mass is celebrated daily in the Chapel of Mary at 12 noon. On Sundays, the 10 a.m. and 12 noon Masses will be celebrated outdoors in The Grotto Plaza, weather permitting.
We are still under strict capacity guidelines due to the pandemic, which is 80 indoors, and 150 outdoors, so please follow direction from the ushers.
When attending Mass, social distancing is required, and masks must be properly worn the entire length of Mass. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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Tomorrow: St. Peregrine Mass
We are pleased to announce the return of the monthly Healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine, beginning Saturday, May 1, at 12 noon. This Mass will take place in the Chapel of Mary.
At this Mass, a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine will be offered. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of those with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. To learn more about St. Peregrine, please click here.
Mass Schedule
Daily Mass (Monday - Saturday): 12 noon
Sunday Masses: 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 noon
Spanish Mass: Second and Fourth Sunday of the Month at 2 p.m.
Tagalog Mass: Third Saturday of the Month at 10 a.m.
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Pope Calls for Prayer Initiative to End Pandemic
Pope Francis invites Catholics and Marian Shrines around the world to dedicate the month of May to a marathon of prayer for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The initiative will involve all the Shrines of the world in a special way, so that they might encourage the faithful, families and communities to recite the Rosary to pray for an end to the pandemic.
Daily recitation of the Rosary at The Grotto will take place everyday, one half hour before each Mass (Sunday- Saturday), during the month of May.
If you wish to volunteer to lead the Rosary before one of the daily or Sunday Masses, please contact Fr. Vidal Martínez, OSM, Rector of The Grotto at FatherVidal@thegrotto.org, or call 503-254-7371, ext. 117. Thank you.
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Known and Loved Individually
Today is the third and last day of our triduum Mass in honor of St. Joseph the Worker. To remember him means to show our love and honor to the stepfather of the Jesus our Lord. Though some may belittle his role as stepfather to Jesus, his love for the Lord Jesus was more than the love of those who claimed to fathered one or two children of their own. That’s why God chose him to be the one to take care of Jesus and Mary.
St. Joseph was a just and righteous man. He is a man with “a heart of a true father.” He was a man who simply loved God. That’s why he was known to God and loved by God in a very personal way.
We are known and love by God individually. That is the meaning of the gospel for today. Like St. Joseph, each of us has a special place in the heart of God. We have an individual room in his kingdom, that is, if we have also prepared God a special place in our own hearts.
We can imagine, therefore, what heaven is like. The focus is not the place. Rather, it is about a loving relationship. Heaven is a place where a loving relationship reigns. Heaven is not a place where you only step on, but a state of life we live by. But like Thomas, we may ask, “Lord, how can we know the way?” And Jesus will give us the same answer, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Meaning, he is the way itself. Our way to God is a Person: Jesus. To put it another way, love is the answer. God himself is the way “for God is love” (1 Jn 4:8).
In short, love is the only way to God. Christianity is a religion of love. That is what our Lord gave to His church. While it is true that the Church cannot save us, it is also wrong to say that we don’t need the Church and the Sacraments. The church is like a vehicle. It is impossible to travel without a means of transportation. He gave to us the church. Not only that, he is the one driving. So, my brothers and sisters, Jesus is the only way to God. And the only ticket is love.
Prayer
Lord God, teach us to grow in your love daily. And let this same love be the one we offer to others. Like St. Joseph, may we build a quality relationship with you and with our fellowmen.
Amen.
Fr. Edgar Benedi-an, OSM
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Remembering a year ago:
Bringing The Grotto to You
One year ago, in response to the growing pandemic, we began a series of daily emails called "A Place of Sanctuary: Bringing The Grotto to You." We closed completely a short time later, and that closure lasted for months.
The "Bringing The Grotto to You" series highlighted a feature at (or about) The Grotto each day. The series lasted for 88 days, the length of our closure.
We hope you enjoy this feature, "Looking Back", where we will share a piece of those emails every day for 88 days. Click the link below to view today's feature, which was originally shared this time last year.
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Click on the video and take a moment to relax and experience the serenity of the sanctuary.
Today, enjoy the peaceful beauty of this tree outside the Monastery.
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Join Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM, Rector of The Grotto, for a daily stroll through the garden.
Each day, enjoy photos and videos taken by Father Vidal, often during hours when the grounds are closed.
Today, visit the Monastery of Our Sorrowful Mother, home of the Servite Friars who minister at The Grotto.
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Plaza Office Hours
Monday - Saturday (Not available Thursday)
10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
A Friar will be in the office attached to the Visitor Center during the above hours.
They gladly await your request for confession, spiritual guidance and blessing of articles. You may also set up an appointment for a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine. Masks and social distancing are required.
You are also welcome to contact a Friar directly at the emails listed below.
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Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Let The Grotto Gift Shop carries a great collection of items for Confirmation, First Holy Communion, and the Year of St. Joseph.
CURBSIDE PICK-UP AVAILABLE: call 503-261-2424
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If you are unable to visit in person, you may purchase a candle to be lighted at The Grotto. Your candle will burn for seven days in the outdoor cradles.
Your support will allow our sanctuary to continue its mission of being a place of peace, prayer and natural beauty for all.
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Mass Enrollment Cards
Perpetual Enrollment in The Grotto’s Guild of Masses and Prayer honors yourself, your family or your loved ones, and provides support for The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother.
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