Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Upper Gardens admission sold until 5 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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Red Cross Blood Drive Today
The Grotto is pleased to partner with the American Red Cross in 2021 to host blood drives, including many regularly-scheduled drives which have been displaced by the pandemic.
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Grotto Conference Center
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What's in Bloom?
These photos were all taken by Father Vidal Martinez, OSM, over the past few days.
The rhododendrons are really beginning to come to life. They should be blooming for the next few weeks.
The trilliums and camellias continue to add color.
The blossom is falling from the trees and making way for the bright green colors of spring.
The Grotto is a wonderful place to visit year-round, but in the spring, it is truly spectacular. We invite you all to visit.
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Mass at The Grotto
Mass is celebrated daily in the Chapel of Mary at 12 noon. On Sundays, the 10 a.m. and 12 noon Masses will be celebrated outdoors in The Grotto Plaza, weather permitting.
We are pleased to announce the return of the monthly Healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine, beginning Saturday, May 1, at 12 noon.
At this Mass, a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine will be offered. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of those with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. To learn more about St. Peregrine, please click here.
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
Spanish Mass: Second and Fourth Sunday of the Month at 2 p.m.
Tagalog Mass: Third Saturday of the Month at 10 a.m.
St. Peregrine Healing Mass: First Saturday of the Month at 12 noon
A blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine is offered at this Mass and at all Saturday noon Masses (beginning in May.)
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Do you believe the unbelievers?
How many members of your family or friends have abandoned their Catholic faith simply because they listened to someone who said that God does not exist? That what the Church teaches is false? People can be easily persuaded by the statements of unbelievers, yet remain in disbelief or doubt the statements of the eyewitnesses.
Who is telling the truth then? Have our elders, parents, ancestors - all the way back to the apostles - been handing us lies about this faith? Are the strangers, the passers-by, or those who mock - are they the one’s who are telling the truth then? Do you think our martyr-saints during the first two hundred years of Christianity would dare to lay down their lives for a lie? Would you dare to lay down your life for a lie? You would rather lay down your life for the truth, for something that you personally witnessed and have experienced. That’s for sure.
Who do you think is the authoritative and credible interpreter of the life of Jesus? His enemies? Or those who knew him?
Yesterday we heard Philip, one of the followers of the risen Lord, one who personally encountered and was an eyewitness of Jesus, interpreting the Scripture passage to the Ethiopian eunuch who got attracted to the faith. St Philip, one of our ancestors in the faith, is one of the credible and reliable interpreters of the truth about our faith. He learned everything from his constant following and listening to what Jesus had said and done. Like what we heard in the Gospel reading today, this has been handed down from one generation of believers to the next until it reached our generation.
Ignorance of the truth about our faith is not an option today. We the believers must tirelessly spread the Good News, whether in season or out of season, by the witness of our own lives.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant us today a heart that values our Christian family, the Church. We know that we have still so much to know and to grow as your children. Give us patience and humility. Grant us a listening heart, that we may accept the truth your Church teaches and not only what we like to hear. Grant us humility and a true sense of Christian identity. May we listen and accept what our pastors say and not that of strangers.
Amen.
Fr Edgar Benedi-an, 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, view the lush vegetation at the base of the cliff.
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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, nature is God's work of art.
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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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Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM
Rector of The Grotto
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Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Let The Grotto Gift Shop carries a great collection of items for Confirmation, First Holy Communion, and the season of spring.
CURBSIDE PICK-UP AVAILABLE: call 503-261-2424
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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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