Today's Operating Hours: 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Upper Gardens admission sold until 7:30 p.m.
Masks must be properly worn at all times while visiting The Grotto. Please maintain six feet of space for social distancing and follow all instructional signs.
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Daily Recitation of the Rosary
Pope Francis invites Catholics and Marian Shrines around the world to dedicate the month of May to a marathon of prayer for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Daily recitation of the Rosary at The Grotto will take place everyday, one half hour before each Mass during the month of May.
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Mass at The Grotto
We are still under strict capacity guidelines due to the pandemic, which is 80 indoors, and 200 outdoors, so please follow direction from the ushers.
When attending Mass, social distancing is required, and masks must be properly worn the entire length of Mass. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Mass Schedule
Daily Mass (Monday - Saturday): 12 noon
Sunday Masses: 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 noon
The 10 a.m. and 12 noon Masses will be held outdoors, weather permitting.
Spanish Mass: Second and Fourth Sunday of the Month at 2 p.m.
Tagalog Mass: Third Saturday of the Month at 10 a.m.
Beginning in June, the Tagalog Mass will be celebrated every first and third Sunday of the Month at 2 p.m.
St. Peregrine Healing Mass: First Saturday of the Month at 12 noon
At this Mass, those who wish may receive a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of those with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
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Our Lady of Fatima
The Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated under this title following apparitions to three shepherd children — Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco — in Portugal in 1917. The message of Fatima includes a call to conversion of heart, repentance from sin and a dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially through praying the Rosary.
The three children who received the apparitions had been brought up in an atmosphere of genuine piety: Lucia dos Santos and her two younger cousins, Francisco and Jacinta. On Sunday, May 13, 1917, toward noon, a flash of lightning drew the attention of the children, and they saw a brilliant figure appearing over the trees of the Cova da Iría. The "Lady" asked them to pray for the conversion of sinners and an end to the war, and to come back every month, on the 13th.
Further apparitions took place on June 13 and July 13. On August 13, the children were prevented by local authorities from going to the Cova da Iría, but they saw the apparition on the 19th. On September 13, the Lady requested recitation of the Rosary for an end to the war. Finally, on October 13, the "Lady" identified herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary" and again called for prayer and penitence.
Mary gave the children three secrets. Following the deaths of Francisco and Jacinta in 1919 and 1920 respectively, Lucia revealed the first secret in 1927. It concerned devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The second secret was a vision of hell. Pope John Paul II directed the Holy See’s Secretary of State to reveal the third secret in 2000; it spoke of a “bishop in white” who was shot by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows into him. Many people linked this vision to the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981.
Official recognition of the "visions" which the children had at the Cova da Iria came on October 13, 1930, when the bishop of Leiria - after long inquiry - authorized the cult of Our Lady of the Rosary at the site. The two younger children had died: Francisco (who saw the apparition but did not hear the words) on April 4, 1919, and his sister Jacinta on February 20, 1920. Sister Lucia died on February 13, 2005 at her Carmelite convent in Coimbra, Portugal, after a long illness. Pray the rosary today for our troubled world, for an end to the suffering attributed to the coronavirus.
Prayer
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the most holy Rosary, you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima and reveal a glorious message. We implore you, inspire in our hearts a fervent love for the recitation of the Rosary. May we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.
Amen.
Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM
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Remembering a year ago:
Bringing The Grotto to You
One year ago, in response to the growing pandemic, we began a series of daily emails called "A Place of Sanctuary: Bringing The Grotto to You." We closed completely a short time later, and that closure lasted for months.
The "Bringing The Grotto to You" series highlighted a feature at (or about) The Grotto each day. The series lasted for 88 days, the length of our closure.
We hope you enjoy this feature, "Looking Back", where we will share a piece of those emails every day for 88 days. Click the link below to view today's feature, which was originally shared this time last year.
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Click on the video and take a moment to relax and experience the serenity of the sanctuary.
Today, enjoy the beautiful, bright greens of spring in the garden.
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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, remember the nest of eggs which showed up on the ledge at the Monastery last week? They have now hatched!
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Plaza Office Hours
Monday - Saturday (Not available Thursday)
10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
A Friar will be in the office attached to the Visitor Center during the above hours.
They 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. Masks and social distancing are required.
You are also welcome to contact a Friar directly at the emails listed below.
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Catholic Bible Study Livestream
The Grotto is pleased to announce a new program, Catholic Bible Study.
Every Saturday at 10 a.m. we welcome everyone to join Fr. Edgar Benedi-an, OSM, via livestream from The Grotto, for an hour of bible study, giving those who desire an opportunity to deepen their knowledge about the word of God in the Sunday readings. This will provide time each week to deepen our knowledge and faith in the Lord Jesus and assist us in becoming matured Christians.
If you are unable to join us at that time, the video of the livestream will be available on our YouTube channel for the entire week, so you may watch at a more convenient time.
While it won't be possible for Father Edgar to entertain questions during the hour, viewers are encouraged to email their questions or comments to Father Edgar so he can address them during the week.
We will begin Saturday, May 21, the birthday of the Church, and study the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday.
Stay tuned for a link to the livestream, which will be shown via our YouTube channel.
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Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The Grotto Gift Shop carries a great collection of books. Come and spend some time browsing through all the great titles.
CURBSIDE PICK-UP AVAILABLE: call 503-261-2424
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If you are unable to visit in person, you may purchase a candle to be lighted at The Grotto. Your candle will burn for seven days in the outdoor cradles.
Your support will allow our sanctuary to continue its mission of being a place of peace, prayer and natural beauty for all.
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Mass Enrollment Cards
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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