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 200 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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St. Peregrine Mass Returns
We are pleased to announce the return of the monthly Healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine, beginning Saturday, May 1, at 12 noon.
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.
St. Peregrine Healing Mass: First Saturday of the Month at 12 noon
A blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine is offered at this Mass and at all Saturday noon Masses (beginning in May.)
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Protector of One Mediator
There is only one mediator between God and humanity: Jesus Christ. And there is also one mediator between Christ and us: The Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother. But there is one protector of them both: St. Joseph. This is what we call one family of faith in one God.
Today is the first day of our triduum in honor of St. Joseph the Worker. In the gospel, we heard Jesus telling the crowd and us that “to believe in him” means to believe in God. And seeing him is seeing God himself. What does this mean? It means there is no shortcut to heaven. We have to pass through Christ and his Church. It also fallows that we need to love and respect the people who reared, protected and trained Jesus, especially during childhood, and that is St. Joseph. For unless we love those the Lord loves, we cannot really say we love him.
In our faith journey towards the Father, it is very important to know who is leading us and to where he/she is leading us. In the life of the early Christians, this was vital since, at that time, there were many already claiming to be the Christ. That is why the narrative about Thomas, one of the disciples, was not totally a negative story in this matter. But it was one of the instances, wherein, the disciples had to make sure that the Jesus in front of them was the real one.
And what’s proof? The nail marks on his hands and feet and the wound on his side. This Jesus is the true “mediator” between us and God, the crucified one. He is the Christ speaking to us in today’s reading. He is the one being spoken by Barnabas and Saul in the first reading.
Where do you belong? Who is leading you? To where are they leading you? For us, it is Jesus leading us to the Father. Who is leading Jesus? It is Mary and St. Joseph, his parents.. That is why we revere the saints, especially St. Joseph, and the Blessed Mother Mary so much.
Prayer
Lord our God and loving Father, we thank you for sending your very self in the person of your Son, our savior and mediator to you. It is true that hearing him means hearing you and seeing him is seeing you. Sustain us and make us grow and mature in Catholic faith every day. May the Blessed Mother Mary intercede and accompany us towards your Son.
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, view the newly-restored Chapel of Mary.
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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, enjoy the beautiful sight of sunrise from the Meditation Chapel.
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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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Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM
Rector of The Grotto
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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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Red Cross Blood Drives
The Grotto is pleased to partner with the American Red Cross in 2021 to host blood drives, including many regularly-scheduled drives which have been displaced by the pandemic.
Next Drive:
Wednesday, May 19
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Grotto Conference Center
Upcoming Drives:
Friday, June 18
Wednesday, June 30
Thursday, July 22
Friday, July 23
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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
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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