A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
Day 58: The Peace Pole
What is a Peace Pole?

A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth.

Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides.

There are estimated over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.
The Origin of Peace Poles

The idea of Peace Poles was first thought up in Japan in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, who had been greatly affected by the destruction caused by World War II, and had dedicated his life to spreading the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.
The Grotto Peace Pole (1986)

The Society of Prayer for World Peace, whose headquarters are in Japan, presented The Grotto with a peace pole in 1986. It marked The Grotto as an international place of peace. The original pole was smaller and made of plastic. In 1988 it was replaced with the current pole.

The 12-foot pole was cut from redwood to complement the surrounding beauty. Joe Valesek, a local artist from Newberg, Oregon, carved the message of peace in four languages into the pole after it was installed on the grounds. The message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" is written in English, Spanish, Japanese and Russian.
The Peace Garden

The Peace Pole stands at the entrance to the Marguerite M. Casey Peace Garden.
A Prayer at the Peace Pole

Heavenly Father,

I stand at this peace pole. “May Peace Prevail on Earth” is carved on it’s 4 sides. One language is my own; The other three are words of people and cultures unfamiliar to me. They represent all others that I may encounter.

Plant your peace in my heart. May your eternal peace enfold me like a blanket and infiltrate my thoughts, my words, and my actions.

Help me to be a person of peace; a person of hope; a person of mercy and forgiveness.

I ask this in union with Blessed Mary Ever Virgin and all the Saints, through Christ Jesus - the Prince of Peace.

Amen.
A Sanctuary of Peace

On May 29, 1924, three thousand people gathered for the first Mass and Dedication of the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother. At the blessing, Archbishop Alexander Christie offered this prayer:

"Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth, and surely in this day a sanctuary is needed. Torn with differences, strife and grief, the world needs sanctuary where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation."

96 years later, The Grotto welcomes people from around the world. Without exception our visitors speak of the peace they encounter in the spiritual and natural beauty of our holy sanctuary, where God's presence abounds, and where special tribute is given to Mary, the Sorrowful Mother of Jesus.
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371