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

Click here for reflections and prayers, based on the day's Gospel reading, provided by Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto.
Video Message
View a special message and prayer from Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM.
Recorded at The Grotto.

"Bringing The Grotto to You" Series

We will continue to share a piece of The Grotto with you each day until Masses resume and our gardens open. We hope this feature brings you joy. Please share our emails with friends and family. Help spread the word that The Grotto is here, and looking forward to the glorious day when we can reopen our gates.
Day 22: Crosses and Crucifixes
The Crucifix

The presence of a crucifix in the home is a constant reminder of the great love of God for humanity. It is seen by everyone in the home and brings to mind those fateful events of so long ago.

Besides being a silent reminder, the crucifix is also be a focal point of daily prayer. We can use the crucifix to direct attention to God, allowing everything else to fade in the background.

One way to do this is to pray this traditional prayer before a crucifix. It is a beautiful prayer that can stir within the heart a great love for God, recognizing the boundless love he has for each one of us.

Prayer before the Cross of Jesus

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus,
while I kneel before Your Holy Cross.
With my soul burning in adoration,
I pray and humbly ask You
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope and charity…
true sorrow for my sins,
and a firm purpose of change.
I meditate with great compassion,
love, and tender pity,
on the five most grievous wounds
inflicted upon Your Holy Body
during Your crucifixion
I ponder them within my heart and mind, and
I remember the words which David, Your prophet of old,
said of You, my Jesus:
"They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones."
Therefore, with true sorrow for your suffering,
As well as joy for my salvation through
that same suffering, and your death,
I pray to You today, Holy Lord,
with love and thanksgiving.
Amen.
 The Calvary Scene

As you enter the parking area of the lower level, you are greeted by a sculpture depicting the death of Jesus at the crucifixion.

The white Carrera marble tableau was installed in 1951 and carved by the Eredi Studios in Peitrasanta, Italy, a religious art colony near Pisa in Tuscany.

It is fitting that such a simple and elegant sculpture greets the visistors who come to our sanctuary, the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, for in Catholic literature and piety, the source of Mary's sorrow is ther death of her son, Jesus.
Crosses and Crucifixes of The Grotto

We hope you enjoy this tour of just some of the crosses and crucifixes found at The Grotto.
The Chapel of Mary Dome

Mass is celebrated every day in the Chapel of Mary. (Mass is currently suspended until further notice.) Stay tuned for a future installment of "Bringing The Grotto to You" to learn more about the Chapel of Mary.
The Meditation Chapel

This cross, which is part of the structure of the building, lights up at night. It is a popular marker for travelers landing at Portland International Airport.
To learn more about the Meditation Chapel, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
St. Anne's Chapel

This small chapel is the oldest building at The Grotto. To read more about this historic site, click here.
The Overlook

This overlook is situated at the top of the cliff, immediately above The Grotto. Visitors to the overlook are offered a spectacular view to the north.
The Monastery

This private residence of The Grotto's Servite Friars was featured in an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You." Click here to view the edition about the Servites and the Monastery.
St. Philip Benizi's Retreat

This shrine, located on the lower level at The Grotto, depicts Servite St. Philip Benizi's life as a hermit in the mountains of Montagnata, Italy. To learn more about this shrine, click here.
The Via Matris

Stay tuned to the Holy Saturday edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You" to learn about the Via Matris, located in The Grotto Upper Gardens.
St. Peregrine Shrine

This shrine honors Servite St. Peregine Laziosi, the patron saint of those battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. A monthly Mass with the relic of St. Peregrine is offered on the first Saturday of every month at The Grotto. (Masses are currently suspended.)

For more information about St. Peregrine and the St. Peregrine Mass, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
The Mysteries of the Rosary

These bronze plaques depicting the mysteries of the rosary are located in the Peace Garden in the Upper Gardens. Stay tuned to a future edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You" to learn about them.
Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe

This shrine, located in the Upper Gardens, is one of the newer additions to The Grotto. Read our emails next week to learn more about this shrine and its beautiful mosaics.
Inside the Chapel of Mary

Look for more photos of inside the Chapel of Mary in a future edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You." Below: The chapel pews, St. Therese, and the chapel foyer.
The Stations of the Cross Path

The Stations of the Cross path is located on the lower level at The Grotto. The lower level is free to all throughout the year. To see more of the Stations of the Cross, be sure to read our email on Good Friday.
Please share your photos

Do you have a favorite photo you took at The Grotto? We would love to see it. You can email them to events@thegrotto.org or use the hashtag #TheGrottoPDX. We will be sharing some of your favorite photos in an upcoming edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
The Grotto Gift Shop

The Grotto Gift Shop is open for curbside pick-up or online shipping during our closure. Check out our new  Curbside Shopping  page on our website.

We can arrange curbside pick-up before Easter!

If you do not see an item in our online shop which you would like to purchase, or you would like to arrange a curbside pick-up, contact our director of retail sales by  clicking here .
Light a Candle at The Grotto

Purchase a candle to be lighted at The Grotto.

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.

Day 1: St. Francis of Assisi
Day 2: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
Day 3: St. Anne's Chapel
Day 4: St. Joseph's Grove
Day 5: The Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel
Day 6: Spring in the Garden
Day 7: Our Lady's Grotto
Day 8: St. Jude Thaddeus
Day 9: Statue of Mary, Our Mother
Day 10: The Pollinator Garden
Day 11: St. Philip Benizi's Retreat
Day 12: Pathways of The Grotto
Day 13: St. Peregrine Shrine
Day 14: The Servites
Day 15: Here Light Shines
Day 16: The Peace Garden
Day 17: Dambana
Day 18: Looking Up
Day 19: Feast of Our Lady at the Foot of the Cross
Day 20: The Rose Garden
Day 21: Palm Sunday, The Christus Garden
Today: Crosses and Crucifixes
Tomorrow: Sacred Heart Statue
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371