A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
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Daily Spiritual Reflection
Father, today is a day of blessing.
I am surrounded by your love in the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate.
Bless me with strong faith, good health, and the hope that because you are with me, I will get through this moment.
Father, watch over my family and friends, Protect them and bless them.
Keep us all safe and bring peace to our world.
Amen.
Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto
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A Homily Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Watch Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, share a homily reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
Recorded at The Grotto Monastery.
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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. 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.
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Day 63: The Chapel Saints
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The Chapel of Mary
The Chapel of Mary was dedicated in 1955. It seats approximately 500 people, and is known around the region for its amazing acoustics. Behind the bronze doors, beautiful mosaics, statues and murals embrace all who enter.
To learn more about the Chapel of Mary,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The Statues of Saints
All the statues you see are made from Carrara marble, a historic marble quarry in Italy (and the same marble Michelangelo use in the original Pieta). Most are from the Eredi Studios in Pietrasanta, Italy, a religious art colony near Pisa.
We have statues in churches as a reminder of the significant people in our lives. These statues depict holy people in the life of the church and the Servite community.
At the front of the church you find statues of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Joseph holding the child Jesus.
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Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother, is the Mother of Jesus, and the Spiritual Mother of us all.
She is the model of a faithful servant, saying yes to God, and following her Son Jesus to the Cross.
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother is a Shrine to Mary.
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St. Joseph is the earthly father of Jesus. He was a carpenter by trade.
Joseph, too, is a model of faithfulness. He was faithful to Mary and Jesus, in and through circumstances that were difficult to understand.
He is the patron saint of carpenters and woodworkers.
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Servite St. Peregrine Laziosi (1265-1345)
St. Peregrine
labored for years as a brother in the Order and at age 60 was diagnosed with cancer of the leg. On the night before the scheduled amputation of his leg, Peregrine dragged himself to the foot of the cross in the community chapter room and fell into a deep trance-like sleep. Upon waking, he discovered that this leg was completely cured. Because of the miracle wrought by prayer, the Church canonized him in 1726 and named him patron of those with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
The lesson of Peregrine’s life is not that God worked a miracle, but that a faithful, trustful servant placed himself, unconditionally, in the hands of our Lord.
Peregrine’s trust in God can be a model for us in dealing with the pain, sickness and crosses of our lives.
To learn more about St. Peregrine ministries at The Grotto, including the outdoor St. Peregrine Shrine and the monthly St. Peregrine Mass,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Servite St. Philip Benizi (1233-1285)
Born to a noble family in Florence, Italy, Philip studied in Padua and Paris, earning a doctorate in medicine and philosophy. He joined the Servite Order in 1253; in time he became renowned for his preaching. He was instrumental in the future Saint Peregrine Laziosi joining the Servite order.
In 1267 Philip was chosen as general superior (prior general) of the order. He was influential in reforming the religious order, and was eventually considered a possible candidate for the Papal Throne, after Pope Clemete IV dies in 1268. This so distressed Philip that he fled and lived in a cave until the papal election was over.
To learn more about St. Philip Benizi's Retreat at The Grotto,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Servite St. Juliana Falconieri (1270-1341)
St. Juliana Falconieri was the niece of
St. Alexis Falconieri
, one of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.
At the age of 15 she received a habit of the Third Order of Servites. She remained in her parent’s home. After her mother's death, she and several companions moved into a house of their own, which became the first
convent
of the Sisters of the Third
Order of Servites.
Juliana remaining the superior until the end of her life. She is a patron saint of the sick, and those who suffer bodily infirmities.
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St. Therese of Lisieux
(1873-1897)
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Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children.
The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68.
His legacy includes the improvement of priestly formation, instituting improved liturgies and music, including Gregorian Chant.
He also insisted on quality preaching from his priests and bishops.
He modernized Canon law and introduced progressive scholarship through the biblical institute of Rome, under the direction of the Jesuits.
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St. Therese entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux at age 15. She lived a hidden, simple life of prayer.
St. Therese loved nature, and often used the imagery of nature to explain how God’s Presence is everywhere. Therese saw herself as "the Little Flower of Jesus" because she was just like the simple wild flowers in forests and fields, unnoticed by the greater population, yet growing and giving glory to God.
Therese did not see herself as a brilliant rose, but as a small wildflower, simple and hidden, but blooming where God had planted her.
Therese lived and taught a spirituality of attending to everyone and everything well and with love. She is he patron saint of missionaries, florists and the sick.
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St. Anthony Pucci
(1195-1892)
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St. Maria Goretti
(1890-1902)
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St. Anthony Pucci was born in 1819 at Poggiole, Italy. He entered the Servite Order at the age of eighteen.
After his ordination to the priesthood he was sent to Viareggio where he was soon made pastor, an office he held for forty-five years, until his death.
He gave himself totally to the service of God and Our Lady, and with loving care he was a father to all his parishioners, especially the needy. He was canonized in 1962. His feast is celebrated January 12th.
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St. Maria Goretti is the youngest canonized saint in the Church.
Her father died when she was 9 years old and her mother went to work in the fields. Maria cared for her five siblings, and also cooked and cleaned for two neighbors.
She died tragically at the age of eleven, defending her virginity from a 20-year old neighbor boy.
She is the patron saint of Chastity.
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Saints on the Tower
On the north side of the Chapel is a 110-foot bell tower, crowned with a dome and cross.
A beautiful mosaic of the Mother and Child, along with statues of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are clearly visible on the tower.
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The Four Evangelists
Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are the authors of the Four Gospels.
They are often called the Four Evangelists as they were among the first to write down the Story of our Salvation: writing the teachings, miracles, life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
They are often represented with their attributes: the Angel for St. Matthew, the Lion for St. Mark, the Ox for St. Luke and the Eagle for St. John. Sometimes these symbols stand in for the Evangelists.
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The Chapel Exterior
Statues of St. Paul and St. Peter stand at the exterior corners of the Chapel of Mary.
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St. Paul was originally known as Saul, a Roman citizen and a Pharisee. He presided over the persecutions of the early Christians and was present at the martyrdom of St. Stephen.
Saul experienced a powerful vision that caused him to convert to Christianity while on the road to Damascus. He was duly baptized and took the name Paul.
St. Paul traveled the world. During these travels, he preached , often drawing criticism and ire from those who rebuffed his message. Jews, in particular, hated his preaching as they saw him convert people to Christianity from Judaism.
St. Paul is among the most famous and influential of the apostles. He is the patron saint of missionaries, evangelists, writers, and public workers.
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St. Peter was one of the twelve apostles.
He was a fisherman along the Sea of Galilea. He was a simple man, with the capacity for doing good works, but now and again afflicted by sudden weakness and doubt.
After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter manifested courage and strength. He was ‘the Rock’ on which the Church was built.
It is perhaps St. Peter’s capacity to reconcile and grow that makes his story so inspiring to others.
St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome, martyr, and keeper of the keys of heaven”.
He is the patron saint of Popes, Rome, and locksmiths.
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Saints at the Chapel Entrance
The bas-relief over the bronze doors and marble entrance to the Chapel portray the Baptism of Christ. The statues to each side represent St. Alexis, Falconieri, OSM, and St. Juliana Falconieri, OSM.
St. Alexis (1200 - 1310) was born into a wealthy family in Florence. He is one of the Holy Founders of the Servite Order, and the only one still living when the Order was approved by Pope Alexander IV in 1256. He was known for his great humility and devotion.
St. Juliana was the neice of St. Alexis, and is featured earlier in this email.
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The Mosaics of Saints
Inside the Chapel of Mary you find two special mosaics, St. Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, and the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.
To learn more about the mosaics at The Grotto, click here to view yesterday's edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The Lectern Saints
Three saints adorn the lectern in the chapel, St. John, St. Peter and St. James.
St. James was one of the disciples. He was brother to St. John the Evangelist, and son of Zebedee. He is also sometimes called St. James the Greater.
James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in the garden of Gethsemani.
St. John and St. Peter are featured earlier in this email.
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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.
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SnowCap Drive-Up Food Drive
Thursday, May 21
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Grotto's Main Parking Lot
Help us gather much-needed items to stock SnowCap's pantry. During this pandemic, food insecurity is at an all-time high.
We will be collecting non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items. (No clothing items at this time, please.)
Items of Greatest Need:
Canned Vegetables!!!
Bar Soap
Toothpaste
Shampoo
SnowCap Community Charities provides food, clothing, advocacy and other services to those in need. SnowCap has served the East Portland area since the 1960s. To learn more about SnowCap,
click here
.
How to drop off your donation:
Come to The Grotto's main parking lot, located at NE 85th & Sandy Blvd., between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. Collection bins will be located in the parking lot. If you are arriving by car, you may pull up to the bins where you can drop your items.
Thank You
We thank you for helping us make a difference at this very difficult time. If you have any questions about this drive, please contact our Director of Community Engagement, Vinci Paterson, at
vpaterson@thegrotto.org
.
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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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The Grotto Gift Shop
The Grotto Gift Shop is hoping to open very soon. In the meantime, we are open for online shopping.
If you do not see what you are looking for, feel free to contact our director of retail operations by
clicking here
.
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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
Today:
Saints of the Chapel
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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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