A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
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Daily Spiritual Reflection
“Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth” (John 16:12-13).
We are blessed with the means to receive information from a variety of sources. In an instant we receive reports on the events of the day, learn a new idea or concept and obtain an opinion on current events. It is easy to become informed and stay so on any given topic or event. Easily also, one can become overwhelmed by too much information. There needs to be a balance between too little and too much information. The goal is to know what it necessary to stay informed or learn something new to enhance the life experience.
Jesus realized this in the case of His disciples. He is sharing a lot of important information with them. This information will bless their lives and prepare them for the upcoming events of His passion and death. He knows that they are on information overload. Jesus lovingly tells them that the Holy Spirit will come to guide their life and mission.
As we live our faith, we learn new ways to seek God and to understand God’s activity in our lives. At times though we can become overwhelmed by trying to live our faith and what we know of God while facing the demands of very busy lives. We want to practice the faith better. We want to pray more deeply. But life gets full and busy. The Holy Spirit reminds us that in life’s busyness God is present. When we can’t pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us. When we can’t practice the faith as deeply as we desire, the Holy Spirit guides us to find a way to connect with God that satisfies this desire even in our busyness. The Holy Spirit shares with us the most important information: God is present in our busyness and He loves us deeply. This information is the most important news for our lives.
Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto
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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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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 will be strict guidelines for shopping, and the rest of The Grotto will remain 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 66: Architecture of The Grotto
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Architecture of The Grotto
The buildings at The Grotto were built over the course of almost an entire century. From St. Anne's Chapel, built in 1934, to the Shrine to Our Lady of Lavang, built in 2016, the unique style of each structure adds to the wonder of The Grotto.
We hope you enjoy today's tour of the magnificent architecture of The Grotto.
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The Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel (1991)
The Meditation Chapel rises from the north face of Rocky Butte, facing the panoramic vista of the Columbia River, which separates the beautiful states of Oregon and Washington. Mt. St. Helens looms in the distance. On a clear day, Mt. Rainier is also visible.
The building was designed by Thompson Vaivoda and Associates, and has received both national and international architectural awards, including a 1992 Grand Award for Engineering Excellence from the American Engineers Council
The chapel is 1,500 square feet in size, built of polished granite and glass walls. When you are inside the building, you are physically looking out from the top portion of a large cross that is lit up at night. The cross can be seen from quite a distance as you travel South on I-205.
The chapel was built in memory of Marilyn Moyer as a gift to The Grotto from her husband, Tom Moyer, and the Moyer children. Recognizing her life-long devotion to the Blessed Mother, this chapel will remain forever a place where all may come for peaceful meditation.
To learn more about the Meditation Chapel,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Our Lady of Lavang Shrine (2016)
This shrine is one of the newer shrines at The Grotto. Located in the Upper Gardens, the Shrine to Our Lady of Lavang is one of five wayside shrines found on the multicultural shrine path.
The construction of this impressive shrine was organized by the members of the Vietnamese community and the Southeast Asian Vicariate in the Archdiocese of Portland.
The shrine was designed by Tam Tran and built by HK Development in the spring and summer of 2016.
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This shrine honors Mary and her apparition to the faithful Vietnamese Catholics as they hid in the jungle during the final years of the 18th century to avoid persecution for their faith. The Virgin Mary gave them courage and hope, and in the following years, the faithful built a church to give thanks to God for the apparition of the Mother of God.
To learn more about the shrine to Our Lady of Lavang,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Chapel of Mary (1955)
The Chapel of Mary began construction in 1953. It was designed by L.L. Dougan of Dougan & Heims, Architects. The rock used to build it came from the Rocky Butte Quarry.
An arcade was built at the same time as the chapel, and the doors under the arcade led to a gift shop. Since then, a new gift shop was built by our main entrance, and this spot was turned into a Visitor Center. On the north side of the Chapel is a 110-foot bell tower, crowned with a dome and cross.
Behind the bronze doors the Chapel seats approximately 500 people. The main ceiling vaults to over 50 feet.
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The Chapel of Mary was dedicated in 1955 by Portland Archbishop Edward D. Howard.
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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Dambana (2008)
Dambana is a Filipino word for "altar." This shrine is a sanctuary that brings together the faith and culture of the Filipino people.
Its roof is shaped like a salakot, a traditional Filipino wide-brimmed hat. Its walls are made of capiz, a flat seashell commonly used on windows in Filipino homes.
The Dambana was designed by Hermes Mallari.
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The shrine is a testimony to the bayanihan (community collaborative spirit) of the Filipino people in Oregon and SW Washington, who built this shrine in partnership with The Grotto.
The shrine was dedicated in October of 2008.
To learn more about Dambana, the Filipino Shrine,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Monastery of Our Sorrowful Mother (1936)
The Monastery is the home of the Servite Friars who minister at the Grotto. In the early years, the Servite community lived in a house off the property on Beech Street, but in 1935 the foundation was laid for this permanent dwelling.
The monastery was completed in 1936 and can accommodate up to twelve priests and brothers. The rock exterior is sandstone from Winlock, Washington.
The monastery was renovated in 1985 through the generous donations of many. In 1990, a convent was built behind the monastery which houses four Sisters from the Congregation of Oblates of St. Martha, based in Saltillo, Mexico.
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Visitors to The Grotto Upper Gardens get the pleasure of viewing the exterior of this beautiful monastery, as they walk through the rose garden in its front yard.
To learn more about the Servites and the Monastery,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine (2016)
This shrine is one of the newer shrines at The Grotto. Located in the Upper Gardens, the Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, is one of five wayside shrines found on the multicultural shrine path.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the Americas, and additionally the Patroness of the Knights of Columbus Organization.
Members of Knights Councils in Oregon coordinated the construction of this shrine in 2016, in cooperation with the local Hispanic community.
The mission-style shrine was designed by Tony Klein. Local mosaic artists Hector Hernandez and Mark Brody designed and assembled the mosaics at the shrine.
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The mosaics in this shrine tell the story of Our Lady's appearance on December 12, 1531, to Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian who had converted to the Catholic faith.
To learn more about the Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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St. Anne's Chapel (1934)
This small chapel honors St. Anne, the mother of Mary.
Built in 1934 to house the Blessed Sacrament during the first United State Marian Congress, it is the oldest building at The Grotto. The building continued to serve as a chapel until The Grotto's Chapel of Mary was built in 1955.
Now, St . Anne's Chapel houses numerous Madonna paintings from many countries.
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St. Anne is the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus.
Although not mentioned in the Bible, early Christian tradition held that Anne and Joachim were the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus.
To learn more about St. Anne's Chapel,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Shrine (2007)
This outdoor shrine contains a replica of the icon popularly know as the Black Madonna. The original icon, depicting Mary and her child Jesus, is darkened from the soot of candles and incense for centuries, and bears the scars of vandalism from the 15th century.
Battles won, territories protected, and countless healings have all been credited to prayer before the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
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This shrine was made possible in large part through the support of the local Polish community of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007, the year the shrine was built.
To learn more about the Shrine to Our Lady of Czestochowa,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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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. This building was designed by Thompson Vaivoda & Associates and dedicated on February 5, 1995, by Portland Archbishop William J. Lavada.
When the Chapel of Mary was built in the 1950s, a gift shop was built where the current Visitor Center stands. Before that, a smaller gift shop served those who visited The Grotto.
While the buildings may have changed and the location of the shop moved, The Grotto Gift Shop has been serving the local community for more than 70 years.
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After being closed for several months, The Grotto Gift Shop reopened this week, under strict social distancing guidelines. Temporary hours are 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
To learn more about The Grotto Gift Shop and the guidelines for reopening,
click here
to view Monday's edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The Visitor Complex (1955/Rebuilt 2001)
In the early years the gift shop was housed where we now have the Visitor Center. The exterior arcade was built with the Chapel of Mary and still stands.
The plaza level of the building is designed to greet visitors to the grounds of The Grotto. In additional, information about the sanctuary, we host an art and history display as well as a video that tells the history of The Grotto in the theater.
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The lower level of the complex is home to The Grotto Conference Center, which hosts retreats, meetings, classes and special events. The space seats groups for up to 150.
For more information about the Visitor Complex, stay tuned for an upcoming edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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We hope you enjoyed the tour
We look forward to seeing you all inside the buildings of The Grotto very soon.
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SnowCap Drive-Up Food Drive TOMORROW
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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:
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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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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
Today:
Architecture of 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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