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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Father Damien of Molokai (1840-1889)
The Gospels record that Jesus reached out to lepers with kindness and healing. Centuries later, Father Damien heard the same cry and responded with mercy. He devoted his life to bringing the touch of Jesus to the outcasts of society.
Joseph de Veuster was born in Belgium, the son of well-to-do farmers. While at college, he decided God was calling him to be a priest. He joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the same community his older brother had joined, and he took the name Damien. When illness prevented his brother from sailing to the missions in Hawaii, Damien offered to go in his place.
For nine years Damien served the people of Hawaii in different villages. But he was most interested in a settlement for people with leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. The colony was very poor, and there was not a single doctor or priest on the island. Father Damien offered to go to Molokai and work with lepers.
In 1873, all the lepers who could walk came to meet the boat to see the priest who wanted to work with them. They were sure he wouldn’t stay very long. Fr. Damian got busy cleaning up the huts, caring for the sick and trying new medicines. Those able to help were put to work building houses. Father Damien not only preached and offered Mass, but also built roads, water systems, orphanages, and churches, and acted as sheriff, counselor, and undertaker. He made the people feel they were important, so they began to take better care of themselves and their property.
For 10 years Father Damien was the only priest on the island. At Mass on Sundays, Father Damian always began his homily with “My dear lepers”. One day he said, “My fellow lepers”. At first it was incredibly quiet. The people began to sob. They knew their beloved Father Damien had contracted the disease. He carried on his work until a month before his death.
Father Damien died on April 15, 1889, having served sixteen years among the patients with leprosy. In 1995, Father Damien was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Brussels. On October 11, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI raised Father Damien to the rank of "sainthood."
Prayer
Damien, brother on the journey, happy and generous missionary, who loved the Gospel more than your own life, who for love of Jesus left your family, your homeland, your security, and your dreams. Teach us to give our lives with joy like yours, to be in solidarity with the outcasts of our world, to celebrate and contemplate the Eucharist as the source of our own commitment. Help us to love to the very end and, in the strength of the Spirit, to persevere in compassion for the poor and forgotten so that we might be good disciples of Jesus and Mary.
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 tranquil beauty of the Peace Garden 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, Sacred Heart of Jesus, in you we trust.
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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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Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The Grotto Gift Shop carries a great collection of items for Mother's Day, including jewelry, home decor, accessories, books, rosaries and greeting cards.
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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