A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
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Update - Spring 2021
Since this email was published one year ago, these murals have been restored.
We invite you all to come and visit the newly-restored Chapel of Mary; the murals look even more beautiful now.
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The Chapel of Mary
The Chapel of Mary began construction in 1953 and was dedicated in 1955. The Chapel seats approximately 500 people. The main ceiling vaults to over 50 feet, creating amazing acoustics.
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Inside the Chapel
Behind the bronze doors of the Chapel, beautiful mosaics, statues and murals embrace all who enter.
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The Murals
The paintings on the walls and ceilings are the work of Jose De Soto. He painted churches in Europe and the United States. For many years he also worked at 20th Century Fox painting movie sets.
The centerpiece of the treasured murals on the Chapel walls is entitled "The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mother into Heaven."
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Update - Spring 2021
Above: before the restoration of the murals
Below: after restoration
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The Via Matris
The side walls are the Via Matris, which is Latin for "The Way of the Mother."
The seven scenes portray particular events in the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph which were extremely painful. As you walk from scene to scene, you are invited to reflect on events in your own life that are related to what you see before you. These scenes help us to know that we are not alone; others have walked the way before us.
The Via Matris is a traditional Servite reflection similar to the Stations of the Cross. During the Lenten season, The Grotto celebrates this devotion every Friday afternoon.
You will also see these scenes again in the Upper Gardens in wood carvings.
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Update - Spring 2021
Above: before the restoration of the murals
Below: after restoration
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The First Sorrow - The Prophecy of Simeon
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel. He is destined to be a sign that is rejected. And you yourself shall be pierced with a sword, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare. (Luke 2:34-35)
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The Second Sorrow - The Flight into Egypt
The angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph with the command: “Get up and take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Joseph got up and took the child and his mother. They left that night for Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-14)
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The Third Sorrow - Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
As they were returning at the end of the paschal feast, the child Jesus remained behind, unknown to his parents. When they found him they were astonished and his mother said to him: “Son, why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.” He said to them: “Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not grasp what he had said to them. (Luke 2:43, 48-49)
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The Fourth Sorrow - Jesus Meets His Mother
A great crowd of people followed him, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. (Luke 23:37)
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The Fifth Sorrow - Jesus Dies on the Cross
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, there is your son.” In turn, he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” (John 19:25-27)
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The Sixth Sorrow - Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Joseph of Arimathea ... was bold enough to seek an audience with Pilate and gently requested the body of Jesus. Pilate released the corpse to Joseph. Then, having bought a linen shroud, Joseph took him down and wrapped him in the linen. (Mark 15:43-46)
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The Seventh Sorrow - Jesus is Buried
In the place where he had been crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. Because of the Jewish Preparation Day they buried Jesus there, for the tomb was close at hand. (John 19:41-42)
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The Mural Angels
There are many angels depicted in the murals of the Chapel, including Archangel Michael, Archangel Gabriel, and two angels proclaiming Ave Regina (Hail, Queen.)
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Behold Thy Mother
The Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother was established by the Servite Friars in 1924 as a memorial to Christ's dying appeal from the cross, "Behold Thy Mother."
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Update - Spring 2021
Above: before the restoration of the murals
Below: after the restoration
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The Wedding at Cana
The transformation of water into wine at the Wedding at Cana is the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John.
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The Dormition of Joseph
Saint Joseph, the patron of husbands and families, is also the patron saint of a peaceful death. While the death of Saint Joseph is not recorded in the gospels, tradition holds that he probably died before Jesus began his public ministry. As in the mural portraying the dormition (death) of Joseph, most artists show Mary and Jesus at his side when he died - a peaceful death in the presence of Jesus and Mary.
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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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