A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
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Daily Spiritual Reflection
“Discipleship involves education and performance; it is the choice of a life “according to the Spirit” – a surrender to the trustworthy God of Jesus Christ. Discipleship involves listening to, believing in, living for and loving Him. It is a great act of understanding and hope in a God who is not only omnipotent but is supremely good, the source of indiscriminate love.
In their Letter to Those Seeking God, the Italian Bishops wrote: “Faith is surrender, submission, welcoming and abandonment to the God who first sought us and gave himself to us. It is not any human possession, guarantee or assurance. Believing does not avoid scandal, fly from risk or move forward in the serene light of day. One believes in spite of scandal and risk; one is challenged in and by them. “Believing means standing on the edge of a dark abyss and hearing a voice cry ‘Leap, I will catch you in my arms.’ (Søren Kierkegaard). – 213 General Chapter of the Servite Friars.
Prayer
Holy Mary, Disciple of Jesus, pray that I may nurture a stronger relationship with your Son. Your life teaches me that faith is trust that God is always faithful.
Pray that I may see the signs of God’s presence in my life today. Pray that I will seek God’s counsel and blessing in all that happens.
Mother, pray that my faith in God may bring me peace and joy as your faith did.
Mother, be my guide and intercessor as I work to be a more perfect and faithful disciple of Jesus.
Amen.
Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto
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Reopening Plans
We expect to reopen our gates and our gardens this Friday, June 12.
Later in the week, we will inform you of visiting guidelines and our sanitation practices. Safety of our visitors and staff is our number one priority.
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We Need Volunteers
As we prepare to reopen on Friday, we must follow strict guidelines set out by the state and county.
We are in need of volunteer help to guide visitors and help keep areas clean. Shifts vary and we can work around your schedule.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering at The Grotto, please contact Vinci Paterson, our Director of Community Engagement. She can be reached at volunteer@thegrotto.org, or by phone at 503-261-2433. Or just click the button below.
Thank you for your continued support of The Grotto.
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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.
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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.
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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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this email forwarded to you? Would you like to receive our emails on a regular basis? Please click the button below to sign up.
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Circles and Cycles
Whether it is measuring time on a clock or the seasons of the year, circles and cycles provide rhythm and order to our time and our daily life.
The Church year follows a cycle as well. The colors of vestments and selection of readings surround us with images of a particular season, such as Advent, Lent, or Easter. Even though these seasons come along every year, we are different people than we were the year before, or 10 years before.
God’s life within us calls each child of God to grow, to change and to receive God’s word today.
God’s word is eternal and everlasting.
Below:
Lamb mosaic on the altar in the Chapel of Mary.
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Circles are Never-Ending
Circles are an image that speaks to something eternal - never-ending. As it is said of the wedding ring: A circle has no beginning and no end. A marriage in God - who has no beginning and no end - are meant to last forever. The ring is a symbol of the covenant between spouses and God.
Below:
Door to the Chapel of Mary
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Circle of Friends
We are so grateful for the circle of friends who have stuck with us through this three-month closure. As we look forward to reopening on Friday, we are eternally thankful for those who have continued to support us.
We hope to see you all at The Grotto very soon. We need you now more than ever.
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Your Love Encircles Me
Gracious God,
Your love encircles me.
I sometimes feel like a child wrapped in a warm blanket; you surround me with the beauty of your creation.
You provide a circle of friends and family that support and challenge me.
When I close my eyes I even see those beloved family members who have gone before me, as well as other holy men and women at my shoulders echoing your loving presence to the whole world.
May my words and actions reflect your never-ending love and mercy.
Teach me your ways - the way of patience, mercy, generosity and unbounded love.
I ask this through Jesus our Lord and Brother.
Amen.
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Circles at The Grotto
We hope you enjoy these photos of the many circles at The Grotto.
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The Servite Crest
The Grotto is a ministry of the Servite Friars, Order of Servants of Mary.
The Servite Crest can be found on the Chapel of Mary, the base of the Statue of Mary, the Monastery of Our Lady of Sorrows, and in The Grotto Plaza.
To learn more about The Servites and Servite Ministries at The Grotto,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The Mysteries of the Rosary
To learn more about the Mysteries of the Rosary,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Dambana
To learn more about Dambana, the Filipino Shrine,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You" features.
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Halos
To learn more about some of the images depicted here, click on the image.
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The Visitor Center
To learn more about the Visitor Center,
click here
to view a complete list of "Bringing The Grotto to You" features.
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The Chapel of Mary
To learn more about The Chapel of Mary,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You" features.
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The Grotto Labyrinth
To learn more about The Grotto Labyrinth,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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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.
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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 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
Reflections
A Parade of Roses
Volunteering at The Grotto
Today:
Circles
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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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