A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
Gardens open and free to all

The Archdiocese of Portland announced yesterday that they will be suspending all Masses through April 14, due to the current health crisis. For the complete statement from Archbishop Alexander Sample, please go to archdpdx.org .

The Grotto is committed to being a place of prayer for our community. For now, our gardens remain open, and there is no charge for admission to the Upper Gardens through March 31. All are welcome to visit our outdoor sanctuary; you can just walk right in.

Open hours are 9 a.m - 6:30 p.m. Please check our website as these guidelines may change in upcoming days.

Series continues

For all those unable to visit, we thought we would share a piece of The Grotto with you each day until Masses resume. We hope this feature, A Place of Sanctuary , brings you joy, and we pray we will see you all at The Grotto soon.

May you, too, experience the peace our visitors and pilgrims encounter in the spiritual and natural beauty of our holy sanctuary.

Day 2: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick Prayer

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding;
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.
A very special performance

In 2016, Irish singer Chloe Agnew, from the group Celtic Women, performed "Danny Boy" in The Grotto's Chapel of Mary. She was accompanied by pianist Dermot Kiernan.

The Greens of The Grotto

The Grotto wears green every day of the year. And in the springtime, the variety of greens are endless.

Please enjoy these photos, taken throughout the year, from our gloriously green gardens.
Reflections in a pond in the Peace Garden in the Upper Gardens
Forest surrounds the Stations of the Cross path on the lower level
The Statue of St. Joseph sits among a grove of towering firs
Water falls at the shrine to St. Philip Benizi on the lower level
The labyrinth in the Upper Gardens is a place for meditation and reflection
A view looking out from St. Anne's Chapel in the Upper Gardens
It's hard to believe you are in the middle of a city in the Peace Garden
Trysting trees abound throughout the grounds of The Grotto
Coming up

We hope you are enjoying our daily feature A Place of Sanctuary: Bringing The Grotto to You.

Day 1: St. Francis of Assisi
Day 2: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
Tomorrow: St. Anne's Chapel

To view all features so far: click here

We thank you for your continued support at this difficult time.
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371