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

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (1 Tm3:16-17).

One of the greatest blessings of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), was that it strongly encouraged the study, praying, and living of the Sacred Scriptures by all in the Church: laity, consecrated religious and clergy. The Scriptures fill the liturgy and prayer of the Church. Our faith-life, spirituality, doctrines and worship are founded in and on Scripture. The Scriptures introduce us to God, reveal the movement of God in life and form us into true disciples of Jesus.

Reading and praying the Scriptures is a must for growing in our life with Jesus. The Council Fathers of Vatican II teach us that “in the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven meets His children with great love and speaks with them” (Dei Verbum, 21). St. Jerome, the great Scripture translator and commentator said it well: “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” For the faithful and serious disciple of Jesus, reading and praying Scripture is both a necessity and a welcome task. It is having a conversation with God, our best friend.

Reading the Bible can be a bit intimidating because it contains many lessons. But there are many good Catholic aids to assist in the both the study and praying of the Scriptures. An internet search will point one to these aids.

St. Paul’s instruction that Scripture is useful reminds us that the Lord gave us Scripture for one reason, that we can know Him. The Bible reminds us that in God’s love we will know abundant mercy and kindness, and we will grow in union with God. Today, spend time reading that Bible and hear God speak His love to you. It will be the best conversation of the day

Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto
Pray the Servite Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Present Pandemic - Part 5

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.
7 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."

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Day 82: Reflections
Reflections

When the light hits the water or a window just right, we see a reflected image of the vibrant shapes and colors around us, and sometimes we even see ourselves. Reflections offer a broadened perspective - double the beauty - double the color. A gentle breeze can shift and shimmer the images we see. The reflection offers a look beyond - into possibilities.
Prayer

Gracious God,

The beauty of your handiwork surrounds us.

I know that each person is a reflection of your living presence.

May all of my thoughts, words, and actions serve to reflect your love, mercy, and peace.

May Mary our Blessed Mother continue to guide us as she reflects humility, discipleship, forgiveness and hope.

May the light of your love shine just right so that I reflect the vibrant message of our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.
Reflections of The Grotto

We hope you enjoy these reflections from around The Grotto.
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
In Every Sense
Today: Reflections
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371