Earth Day 2023

Today, April 22, is celebrated worldwide as Earth Day. It is a day of appreciation for all of God's creation, and a day to promote stewardship of the environment.

Eight years ago, Pope Francis wrote the encyclical letter Laudato Si' on care for our common home. We are inspired by the words of The Holy Father, and celebrate the presence of God in nature at The Grotto.
Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home

This encyclical letter from Pope Francis is addressed to "every person living on this planet" for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path.

This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility.

To read the entire Laudato Si', please click here.
Today's Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Grounds and Gardens: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Upper Gardens: Admission sold until 5:30 p.m., grounds close at 6:30 p.m.
The Grotto Gift Shop: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Daily Mass
12 noon
Chapel of Mary

Recitation of the Rosary
Recitation of the Rosary will take place 30 minutes prior to Mass.

Priest Office Hours
10-11:45 a.m.
Office is located inside the Visitor Center.
Spring Alleluia Concert Series

Saturday, April 29

2 p.m.: Valor Christian School

3 p.m.: A Good News Concert
Evangelization with song performed by Denise Tomasovic and Elisa Morelli

All concerts take place in the Chapel of Mary.

Free admission.
Food for Thought - Mass, Lunch & Learn

Join us the first Tuesday of every month for Mass, Lunch & Learn. Gather in the Auditorium (directly under the Chapel of Mary) immediately after the noon Mass for lunch and a featured speaker discussing a new topic each month.

Lunch will be provided. Attendance limited to 15 people, sign up required.

Tuesday, May 2:
Brian Ferschweiler, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul

Brian will talk about the mission of St. Vincent de Paul, who they help, how they help, and the challenges they face everyday.

Oh God of mercy and hope,

Today’s readings speak to us of your mercy and hope in choosing Stephen and others as one of your helpers to assist the apostles, in service to the young Christian community. This same message of hope is from Jesus coming across the water with strong winds blowing in today’s Gospel to bring the apostles to shire, calm their fears, and bring their boat to the shore safely.

Give me your grace to trust in hope of the guidance of the Holy Spirit when feeling challenged in this life. You give me hope and assurance in times of trouble. Give me your grace today, Lord, to trust in your mercy and presence in my life.

Amen.
Praise be to you, my Lord

The title of Pope Francis' encyclical letter is taken from the first line of the Canticle of the Sun, "Laudato si', mi Signore," or "Praise be to you, my Lord."

In the words of this beautiful canticle from Saint Francis of Assisi, he reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life, and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.
Canticle of the Sun

Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of you, Most High.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi is revered by Christians everywhere. He was known as a person of peace and a lover of nature. In the simplicity of his life, he saw the hand of God in all creation.

This beautiful statue of St. Francis, seen above, is located in The Grotto Upper Gardens, the same gardens where we spotted all these creatures below.
The Pollinator Garden at The Grotto

As part of America’s Faith-Based Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with The Grotto to engage the public on the importance of pollinators, including the monarch butterfly.
 
Work began in 2016 to build a butterfly habitat in the Upper Gardens outside the Meditation Chapel, in order to create a suitable and protected environment for caterpillars and butterflies to thrive. We are now delighted to see butterflies enjoying the gardens.
A Place of Sanctuary

The Grotto is a 54-acre sanctuary in the middle of the city. The buildings and beautiful gardens are nestled in a thick forest, which is a large habitat for wildlife. More than 1000 species of plants grow at The Grotto.

Please enjoy these photos, all taken at The Grotto, celebrating God's Creation.
As we celebrate Earth Day, listen to the sounds of the birds singing in our peaceful sanctuary.
Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The shop offers a wide variety of items for Confirmation and First Holy Communion, along with a vast array of books, cards, statuary, jewelry, Rosaries and home accessories.