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When did you first come to The Grotto?
In 1966, my young family came on the train from Indiana to visit my Mom, Mary Evans, who moved to Portland the year before. The very first place she took us to visit in Portland was The Grotto, her favorite place in all of Oregon. Ooh how she loved it here. I call it Holy Ground and believe she felt spiritually attached and relished this fantastic place of worship, peace and love.
What was your first impression?
We fell in love with it and have been visiting ever since. We eventually moved to Oregon in late 1966 and spent four years in Corvallis so my ex-spouse could obtain his engineering degree. We then followed his career across country but we ended up back in Portland for good in 1974, and my daughters have remained here until recently when the youngest daughter moved to the beach.
What is your favorite place at The Grotto?
The Christus Garden since Mom would bring flowers for it on the bus every time she visited. It was her favorite place, as was St. Anne’s Chapel in the Upper Gardens, and the Chapel of Mary.
What is your favorite place in the Upper Gardens?
St. Anne’s Chapel and the statue of St. Jude, and the shrines they have added. The ponds are lovely, as are the flowers and trees. St. Anne’s Chapel is the oldest building, and for me the most inviting. I love the paintings that hang on the walls and the altar with the statues, also. I feel her presence there and know my prayers are being heard. My aunt Anne from Ohio loved visiting there when she came to see my mom, and she could not wait until we planned to take her again.
Do you have any special memories?
Definitely when my three children were little and we would attend the outdoor Mass with mom, and on occasion go up the elevator. The view from up there was special and awesome for the little ones. One other story - when I was in the gift shop and I heard someone say my name. It was a friend. My son, infant grandson, and his mom were there also. They heard my friend call my name and it was such a surprise - we all were in the same place but did not plan this. Brian, my son, loved The Grotto also. His move to Idaho prevented him from visiting as he only came to Portland for one or two visits on the holidays.
Have you been to the Christmas Festival of Lights?
Many times, from when the children were young, and then as they got older the grandchildren also went with us. The wishing pond by St. Philip Benizi was popular to throw a coin in and make a wish. My one grandson made a wish at Christmas for his dad and mom to be back together. Not for toys or clothes but for his family. He was only five or six years old. I volunteered at the Festival of Lights several times and worked in the gift shop which was nice, as I saw quite a few of my friends and acquaintances as I waited on them. I also was employed in the old gift shop one summer to help out with the large crowds after the noon Mass and got to know the friars and Father Jack Topper, the former executive director. I still see him occasionally at events.
What do you love most about The Grotto?
The overall beauty of nature and the statues. Particularly the Pieta, which is so beautiful to meditate on. The music is also beautiful and the Chapel of Mary is one of the most beautiful churches I have been in, which includes in the city of Rome, and the Basilica at Notre Dame in South Bend. I have also been in the one in Washington DC. The Chapel of Mary has beautiful statues and my favorite of all is St. Therese the Little Flower. The building is much smaller but contains the spiritual presence of all that makes up our faith during Mass and special events. I cannot omit the people I have met while volunteering, working and visiting who I have come to know in my 55+ years involvement with the Grotto.
Below left: Mom, me and daughters in 1967
Below right: Mom in the Christus Garden which she loved.
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