Bringing The Grotto to You

A Place of Sanctuary

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Daily Spiritual Reflections

Click here for reflections and prayers, based on the day's Gospel reading, provided by Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto.

Video Messages and Prayers

Click here to view special messages and prayers from Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, recorded in The Grotto Monastery.

Light a Candle at The Grotto

Purchase a candle to be lighted at The Grotto. Your candle will burn for seven days in the outdoor cradles by The Grotto. Your support will help The Grotto continue its ministry through this difficult time.

Click here to purchase

The Grotto Gift Shop Online

Everything you see in our online shop is available now, during the closure.

Click here to shop.

Series Continues

We will continue to share a piece of The Grotto with you each day until Masses resume and our gardens open.

We hope this feature, A Place of Sanctuary: Bringing The Grotto to You, brings you joy. May you, too, experience the peace our visitors and pilgrims encounter in the spiritual and natural beauty of our holy sanctuary.

Day 11: St. Philip Benizi's Retreat

Servite Saint Philip Benizi (1233-1285)

Born to a noble family in Florence, Italy, Philip studied in Padua and Paris, earning a doctorate in medicine and philosophy. He joined the Servite Order in 1253; in time he became renowned for his preaching. He was instrumental in the future Saint Peregrine Laziosi joining the Servite order.

In 1267 Philip was chosen as general superior (prior general) of the order. He was influential in reforming the religious order, and was eventually considered a possible candidate for the Papal Throne, after Pope Clemete IV dies in 1268. This so distressed Philip that he fled and lived in a cave until the papal election was over.

St. Philip Benizi's Retreat (1927)

This shrine is one of the earliest installations at The Grotto, and represents his time spent as a hermit in the mountains of Montagnata, Italy.

With the Papal Tiara at his feet, he is represented praying at the entrance of the cave where he lived while in hiding.

During this time he redoubled his penances, eating only herbs and drinking at a fountain, ever since held to be miraculous by reason of its healing qualities, and called "St. Philip's Spring."

St. Philip was one of the shining lights of the early Servite Order, both intellectually and spiritually.

The Grotto is a ministry of the Servite Friars, The Order of Friar Servants of Mary. To learn more about the Servites, please click here .

St. Philip’s gifts of compassion and generosity, as well as his leadership abilities and his commitment to reconciliation, were readily recognized within his Servite community as well as the Church at large. His Feast day is August 23.

Prayer to St. Philip Benizi

Loving God, we give you thanks for the life of Philip Benizi, the Servite saint who placed his gifts at the service of others.

Help us to live our lives with his spirit of generosity. Like Philip, may we be your instruments of reconciliation and unity wherever we encounter conflict and strife.

As the steadfast service of Mary inspired Saint Philip, so too may we follow her footsteps as faithful and loving disciples of Jesus.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Click here to purchase this Biography Card in The Grotto Gift Shop's online store . (Available during closure.)

The Grotto's lower level

St. Philip Benizi's Retreat is located on the lower level at The Grotto, not far from the Gift Shop and the Stations of the Cross Path.

The lower level is open and free to all.

Pets, properly restrained, are allowed on the lower level, except in the buildings. The forested paths make for a wonderful walk with your furry friend.