Your Sanctuary of Peace: Day 27

Today's Hours of Operation

Grounds: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Gift Shop: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Recitation of the Rosary

11:30 a.m.

Chapel of Mary

Daily Mass

12 noon

Chapel of Mary

Priest Office Hours

10-11:45 a.m. and

3-5 p.m.

Office is located inside the Visitor Center.

Guided Tour Opportunity

The Grotto is offering a guided tour on Monday, April 29 at 1 p.m.

Enjoy a lovely spring stroll through the gardens while learning about The Grotto's history. This tour will take place rain or shine.

Sign up for a spot by clicking the link below. You will be prompted to pay for your ticket to the Upper Garden at the end of the sign up. For more information, please contact events@thegrotto.org.

Space is limited.

Click here to register.

Mass, Lunch & Learn

Join us every month for this special series. 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 7 – Erin Peters, Executive Director of Northwest Catholic Counseling Center

Erin will talk about some of the mental health challenges currently facing our community. She will also address how The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center is working on these issues with values of justice and service at their core.

Lord,

You are my light and my help.

Remind me today that your kindness and mercy are never exhausted, but renewed every morning.

Let your love guide my actions and words today so that I can brighten another’s day as you brighten mine.

Amen.

Your Sanctuary of Peace

As part of our Centennial celebration, we would like to share a piece of the sanctuary with you each day in April. We hope you will enjoy learning more about each feature, and find joy and peace by viewing the photographs.

Today: The Cliff & Elevator

The North Face of Rocky Butte

The Grotto is located on the north face of Rocky Butte, an extinct cinder cone which erupted sometime between 285,000 and 500,000 years ago.

It is part of the Boring Lava Field, a series of volcanic vents and flows located in Oregon and Washington.

A basalt cliff spans the north face of the butte, and cuts through the property of the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, more commonly known as The Grotto because of the cave carved out of the basalt cliff 100 years ago.

The Grotto Cliff

When you first arrive at The Grotto, you will see the cliff through the tall trees.

As you walk toward the plaza, the cliff will become more apparent and impressive in size. By the time you reach the plaza, the cliff is 110 feet high.

To visit the scenic Upper Gardens, you will take a 10-story elevator ride to the top of the cliff.

The Elevator

This 125-foot high elevator that transports visitors to the Upper Gardens of The Grotto was built in 1929 and refurbished in 1986. The elevator remains housed in the original shaft.

The cab, engine and motor works were replaced in 1986. The elevator control system and cab were updated again in 2007. (Below: the elevator in 1934.)

A Trip to the Top

Visitors can find the entrance to the elevator near the Chapel of Mary. Admission to the Upper Gardens can be purchased in the Visitor Center (seen below) or The Grotto Gift Shop, where they will provide you with a token for the turnstile.

As you pass through the turnstile and head toward the elevator, be sure to look up.

As you leave the elevator, you will walk across a short bridge toward the peaceful oasis that lies ahead.

You are certain to enjoy your time in The Grotto Upper Gardens.

While you are at the top of the cliff, be sure to check out the spectacular view to the north.

Heading back down

In this look back in time, you will notice Mt. St. Helens in the background, before the 1980 eruption which drastically changed its appearance.

The journey today ...

Caring for the Cliff

Invasive ivy is a continuing problem in the Rocky Butte area. In order to care for the cliff, crews rappel from the top to remove the ivy.

Watch the Rappelling

To really appreciate the size of the cliff, watch the crew rappelling down the cliff to remove the invasive ivy.

Click here to view

We hope you are enjoying the series "Your Sanctuary of Peace".

Tomorrow: The Cliff and Elevator.

Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The Grotto Gift Shop has a wide variety of items for Confirmation and First Holy Communion, along with an assortment of books, Rosaries, cards, medals, jewelry, home decor, yummy treats, and gifts.

Online Shop