A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
Daily Spiritual Reflection

“Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior” (Psalm 25:4-5).

My first-grade teacher was a wonderful person and great teacher. She was a master in instructing first graders. She was an incredibly kind and accepting person. For those of us who struggled a bit, she made us feel at ease that we could tackle the struggle to learn with confidence. The next lesson that Mrs. McShane taught us was to see life’s events as opportunities to learn and the people in our lives as potential teachers.

In our relationship with the Lord, we know that there are many lessons to learn. We need to learn how to relate more honestly and authentically with ourselves, others, and with God. Walking the path of God is a journey of new lessons and new beginnings. The way of God leads us into His heart where we experience love and mercy that reveals our goodness and our potential. The path then leads us from this experience into the lives of those around us.

Our encounters with those on the same path are our opportunity to teach them what we have learned. Our faith in the Lord is the invitation to keep learning how to walk closer to God and how to embrace others with love. The greatest lesson that God teaches us in that we are good, that we can heal and change for the better, and that to love others brings great joy and builds peace in the world.

Maybe this is the lesson we all need to keep learning in these uneasy and challenging days. 

Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto
Pray the Servite Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Present Pandemic - Part 4

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, in praying this special Rosary.

Recorded at the Via Matris (Way of the Mother) in The Grotto Upper Gardens.

Reopening Plans

Earlier this week we shared some exciting news. We expect to reopen our gates and our gardens on Friday, June 12. We will be taking guidance from Multnomah County.

As we get closer to that date, we will inform you of visiting guidelines and our sanitation practices. Safety of our visitors and staff is our number one priority.
8 DAYS
 UNTIL WE OPEN
Sunday Mass

Under the guidelines set by the Archdiocese of Portland, The Grotto will celebrate Mass on Sundays at 10 a.m. and noon in the Chapel of Mary. Under these strict guidelines there is an attendance limit, and those attending must be registered in advance for contact tracing and crowd control. We can only sign up 21 people per Mass, so we ask that you please sign up for only one Mass per four week period.
The Grotto Gift Shop

The gift shop is now open from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily, following the governor's strict operating guidelines. Click the button below for shopping instructions.
Bringing The Grotto to You

Until we fully open, we hope you continue to enjoy our daily email feature, "Bringing The Grotto to You."

Was this email forwarded to you? Would you like to receive our emails on a regular basis? Please click the button below to sign up.
Day 81: In Every Sense
A Sanctuary to Delight your Senses

The Grotto is place of solitude, peace and prayer. It is also a place of inspiration and rejuvenation. It is a place where one can feel fully immersed in nature, art and all of God's creation. It is a true delight for all of one's senses.

Today, we give you a sample of the sanctuary ... in every sense.
The Sense of Sight

Every time you visit The Grotto, you see something new, or you see it from a new angle.

The spectacular sights are too many to list. The gardens and the forest, the art and the architecture, the view and the cliff ... it is a photographer's dream. We hope you will come see it for yourself.
The Sense of Smell

Whether it is the smell of the pine forest, or the flowers in the rose garden, or the grass after it rains ... The Grotto is full of wonderful fragrances.
The Sense of Touch

The textures in nature and art are wonderful to discover by touching. While some of this may be more limited during the present pandemic, one can still enjoy imagining the feel of the bark or the rock or the leaf.
The Sense of Taste

The Grotto hosts many special events throughout the year, such as our annual Crabfest. Snacks can be purchased in our Visitor Center. Waffle sandwiches are a favorite at the Christmas Festival of Lights.
The Sense of Sound

Along with music at Mass, last year approximately 10,000 people performed at The Grotto, many as choir members at our Christmas Festival of Lights.

Musicians playing hammered dulcimers, violins, and xylophones are a big attraction at the Festival.

Outdoor piano concerts with Michael Allen Harrison in the Upper Gardens are very special.

Perhaps the most relaxing sounds at The Grotto are the wonderful sounds of nature.
The Singing of the Birds
Click on the video to listen to the glorious sounds of nature.

Recorded in The Grotto Upper Gardens.

We recommend you turn your audio up.
See you soon ...

In just eight more days we can finally open our gates and our gardens. We can't wait to welcome you all back, hoping you will be rejuvenated by the presence of God in every sense.
Light a Candle at The Grotto

Purchase a candle to be lighted at The Grotto while we are closed. Your candle will burn for seven days in the outdoor cradles by The Grotto.

Your support will help The Grotto continue its ministry through this difficult time.

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.

The Series

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

Week 1
St. Francis of Assisi
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
St. Anne's Chapel
St. Joseph's Grove
The Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel
Spring in the Garden
Our Lady's Grotto

Week 2
St. Jude Thaddeus
Statue of Mary, Our Mother
The Pollinator Garden
St. Philip Benizi's Retreat
Pathways of The Grotto
St. Peregrine Shrine
The Servites

Week 3
Here Light Shines
The Peace Garden
Dambana
Looking Up
Feast of Our Lady at the Foot of the Cross
The Rose Garden
Palm Sunday, The Christus Garden

Week 4
Crosses and Crucifixes
Sacred Heart Statue
Angels of The Grotto
Holy Thursday of The Lord's Supper
Good Friday, Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday, Via Matris
Easter Sunday

Week 5
The Forest
Blessing of the Animals
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
Colors of The Grotto
Mysteries of the Rosary
Lighting a Candle
Chapel of Mary

Week 6
Come to the Water
Our Lady of Lavang Shrine
Celebrating God's Creation
Our Lady of Lourdes
The Labyrinth
Looking Out a Window
How The Grotto Began

Week 7
The Cliff and Elevator
Lithuanian Wayside Shrine
The Grotto by the Numbers
Music at The Grotto
May Flowers
Take a Closer Look
Outdoor Mass

Week 8
The Feast of St. Peregrine
Celebrating Your Favorites
A Year at The Grotto
The Seven Holy Founders
Views and Perspectives
The Rhododendrons
Mother's Day at The Grotto

Week 9
Twilight at The Grotto
The Peace Pole
Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Shrine
A Seat Waiting for You
The Murals
Mosaics of The Grotto
The Chapel Saints

Week 10
The Grotto Gift Shop
The Servite Mission
Architecture of The Grotto
A Retreat at The Grotto
The Visitor Center
Arriving at The Grotto
Sr. Ruth's Well

Week 11
Celebrating Memorial Day
A Gallery in the Woods
Hope and Healing
The View
The Grotto Plaza
The Leaves
Celebrating Pentecost

Week 12
Then and Now
Meet Me at The Grotto
A Sanctuary of Peace
Today: In Every Sense
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371