COUNTDOWN TO FESTIVAL
10 DAYS
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Celebrate the Return of the Christmas Festival of Lights!
This year’s Festival will look a little different due to the ongoing pandemic. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to produce a safe but fun Festival.
Tickets sold online in order to control the nightly capacity.
The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights features over two million lights and hosts nightly indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest schools, churches, and civic choirs. The Festival reflects the special season of hope that Christmas offers.
Continuous entertainment for all ages is offered in The Grotto’s plaza area, including outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and an assortment of musical guests.
For more information about this year's Festival, including Covid-19 safety protocol, please click here.
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Optional Memorial of St. Gertrude, virgin
Lord, Bless the work of my hands so that all that I do today may be fulfilling to me, helpful to humanity and may I do it according to your Holy Will and for the greater glory of your name.
Angel of the Lord, appointed by the Divine Mercy to be my guardian, enlighten, protect, direct and govern me this day. Amen.
St. Gertrude's Story
Today’s saint, known as Saint Gertrude the Great, is one of the most provocative spiritual writers in the long and rich history of the Church. St. Gertrude was born in 1263, at Eisleben, in the county of Mansfield, in Upper Saxony. She and her sister, St. Mechtilde, were of the family of the Counts of Lachenborn. Gertrude lived a “nuptial mysticism ”in which she was Christ’s bride and the Mass was the wedding banquet at which a chaste self-giving consummated the sacred bond of lover and beloved. Gertrude’s vowed virginity was the proof and basis of her enduring commitment to Christ, a promise made in the company of his mother, Mary, and all the angels and saints. Gertrude composed her spiritual diaries at the express command of her spouse, Christ. Their hymns, prayers, and reflections also show a profound concern for the holy souls in purgatory. Gertrude continually begged Christ’s mercy on them, and Christ responded that merely petitioning for the release of such souls was sufficient for Him to grant the favor.
Allan Sabroso
Liturgy Coordinator
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Garden Hours: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Upper Gardens admission sold until 4:30 p.m.
Gift Shop open until 6:30 p.m.
Following state guidelines, masks must be worn in all indoor spaces at The Grotto, and outdoors where crowds are gathered or social distancing cannot be maintained. This includes all Masses.
Daily Mass
12 noon in the Chapel of Mary
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Recitation of the Rosary
Daily recitation of the Rosary at The Grotto will take place everyday, one half hour before each Mass. On Friday's, we pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary (Servite Rosary).
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The Book of the Names of the Dead
The Book of the Names of the Dead will be placed in the Chapel of Mary through the month of November. It will be left open for people to write the names of their deceased loved ones and for others to read the names, remember, and pray for the repose of their souls.
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Priest's Office Hours
Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The Servite Friars gladly await your request for confession, spiritual guidance and blessing of articles. You may also set up an appointment for a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine. The office is located at the Visitor Center.
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The Grotto Gift Shop: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The Grotto Gift Shop has a nice variety of holiday treats which make wonderful gifts.
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Click on the video and take a moment to relax and experience the serenity of the sanctuary.
Today, the wind sends ripples across the reflecting pool outside the Meditation Chapel in the Upper Gardens.
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Join Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM, Rector of The Grotto, for a daily stroll through the garden.
Each day, enjoy photos and videos taken by Father Vidal, often during hours when the grounds are closed.
Today, enjoy a view of the Upper Gardens, with the Monastery of Our Sorrowful Mother in the distance.
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The Servite Friars (from left to right)
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Bible Study Livestream
Saturdays: 9:15-10 a.m.
All are welcome to the weekly Bible Study Livestream with Fr. Edgar Benedi-an, OSM. For more information, please click the button below.
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