A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
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Daily Spiritual Reflection
Possibly, there are no more beautiful words in the scriptures than these of Jesus in today’s gospel reading, “for the Father himself loves you.”
We desire to be loved. To be loved is a gift. In being loved by another we are accepted, valued, reverenced and noticed for who we are. In being loved our self-confidence grows stronger and happiness fills our lives more easily.
In telling His disciples that the Father loves them, Jesus is reassuring his friends that the courage for their life and mission is found in being loved by God. God’s love is the assurance that God values them and is present in their lives. The Father is never far from them.
Every day Jesus whispers to our souls this same assurance “the Father himself loves you”. What a joy to have the Father notice us! What a blessing that the Father notices us and holds us close. The Father’s love upon our lives is the promise that whether we are saints or sinners, confident or doubtful, hopeful or despairing we are loved all the same. The Father’s love covers our lives with the blessing of abundant providence all because God favors us.
The best way to celebrate the Fathers’ love is to share it with another. As God does for us, today, let is do for another that they may know the Love of God as we do.
Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto
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Memorial Day Candles
Purchase a candle to be lighted at The Grotto in memory of someone. 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.
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Bringing The Grotto to You
We will continue to share a piece of The Grotto with you each day until Masses resume and our gardens open.
Beginning this week, The Grotto Gift Shop is once again open. There are strict guidelines for shopping, and the rest of The Grotto remains closed. However, we are pleased to be making this first step.
To learn more about guidelines for shopping in this early phase of reopening, please
click here
.
In the meantime, we hope you continue to enjoy our daily emails.
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Day 69: Arriving at The Grotto
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A Sanctuary of Peace
As soon as you enter the parking lot from busy Sandy Blvd., you are surrounded by the majestic natural beauty of the Northwest. It is hard to believe you are in the middle of a city.
Our visitors come from around the world, and the one word they all use to describe The Grotto is "peace".
We look forward to the day, which we hope will be very soon, when we can welcome you all back to our peaceful sanctuary.
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Welcome to The Grotto
Today we will remind you of what it is like when you step from the city into our sanctuary.
Every photo in this edition is taken from the parking lot.
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The Calvary Scene (1951)
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 visitors 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 the death of her son, Jesus.
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The Twin Cedars
The entrance to The Grotto is flanked by two giant cedar trees, each over 130 feet tall. The circumference of the slightly taller tree is one of the largest on The Grotto's property. Only the redwood trees in the Upper Gardens can match the size of the trunks.
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The Forest of Rocky Butte
The Grotto's 62 acres are set among, and are surrounded by, a thick, evergreen forest. Much of the forest is made up from varieties of fir trees, but you can spot dozens of other species as you stroll through the lower level and the Upper Gardens.
To learn more about some of the trees at The Grotto, stay tuned for a future edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The canopy of the giant firs creates a wonderfully cool shade in the hot summer months. With the forest and the gentle breeze from the Columbia River Gorge, The Grotto is often one of the coolest places in town on a hot, summer day.
We invite to to join us this summer for a refreshing walk.
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Stations of the Cross Path (1940/Refurbished 1995)
A circular path beginning near the parking area leads to the Stations of the Cross.
These 14 Stations of the Cross in bronze were purchased in Eugene by Servite Fr. Ambrose Mayer, founder of The Grotto, and shipped to Portland in 1930. They were stored at the Monastery until 1936.
Set in shrines of tufa stone, surrounded by trees, flowers and ferns, they were erected along two rising paths at the base of the cliff. The Stations were refurbished in 1995.
To learn more about the Stations of the Cross path,
click here
to view our Good Friday edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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An Introduction to the Stations of the Cross
Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, gives an introduction to the Stations of the Cross. Recorded at The Grotto Monastery last month during Holy Week.
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The President John F. Kennedy Memorial (1965)
In the parking area you will notice a monument to President John F. Kennedy. This memorial was erected in 1965, two years after his assassination, as a gift from the Holy Name Union, Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus and Newman Clubs.
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The Marvelous Ash Trees
The line of ash trees which divide the parking lot are spectacular throughout the year. While blossom and the bright greens of spring are beautiful, nothing can compare to the amazing show of color they produce every autumn.
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Awesome Autumn
Watch this video and enjoy the spectacular sights of autumn in the parking lot.
Recorded one early morning in the fall.
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The Grotto Gift Shop
Set among towering trees and native shrubs, the Gift Shop greets all visitors entering from the main parking lot.
We are please to report that our Gift Shop reopened this week, under strict guidelines. Temporary hours are 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
To learn more about The Grotto Gift Shop, and read the guidelines for shopping,
click here
to view last Monday's edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Getting to The Grotto
If arriving by car, our main entrance is located at NE 85th Ave. and Sandy Blvd.
If you come via public transportation, we are situated on bus lines #12 and #72. We are also less than a mile from the Parkrose/Sumner MAX station. During our annual Christmas Festival of Lights, we provide a free shuttle from the MAX station.
And if you are local, we have a bike rack waiting for you.
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Bus Parking
Would you like to bring a group to The Grotto? We have special bus parking set aside to make your trip easier. Your driver can drop everyone at the entrance, and then head to the special zone in the parking lot.
For information on booking a group retreat, tour, or field trip, please contact our Vinci Paterson, our Director of Community of Community Engagement. She can be reached at
vpaterson@thegrotto.org
or 503-261-2433.
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Pets on the Lower Level
Did you know that pets, properly restrained, are welcome in the outdoor areas of the lower level? The forested grounds are a wonderful place for a stroll with your furry friend. They will love all the smells of nature through the woodsy trails.
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A Prayer of Welcome
Gracious God,
We are blessed to have this beautiful Sanctuary in the city.
May pilgrims and visitors feel welcomed as they are surrounded by the majesty of the tall cedars.
May the bird song, the rustling leaves, branches and the greeting of our staff allow all who visit to lay down their burdens here.
May they feel your loving mercy, and be inspired by the images of angels and saints to follow your Son Jesus more sincerely.
And may Blessed Mary offer her humble encouragement as visitors pray, explore, seek and learn.
As our visitors leave this place may they be filled with the gift of compassion and hope.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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A Sanctuary in the City for almost a Century
Did you know The Grotto will turn 100 years old in 2024? While we look forward to the centennial celebration, we enjoy looking back at the past.
This photo was taken in one of the earliest years of The Grotto. To learn more about how The Grotto began,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Sights from the Parking Lot
We hope you enjoy these scenic sights, all viewed from our free parking lot.
And if this is just the parking lot ... can you imagine inside?
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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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Purchase a Gift Certificate
Not sure what to get someone? Or perhaps you would just like to support The Grotto during our closure?
A Gift Certificate to The Grotto Gift Shop is a great gift. It can be used to purchase admission to the Upper Gardens, candles or store merchandise.
Shop Online
Check out our online shop if you are unable to visit. And if you don't see something you are interesting in our online shop, feel free to contact our Director of Retail Operations by
clicking here
and we can make arrangements.
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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
Today:
Arriving at The Grotto
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The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother
NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon
503-254-7371
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