Bringing The Grotto to You

A Place of Sanctuary

A Moment of Prayer

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a moment of prayer, recorded in The Grotto Monastery.

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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.

"Bringing The Grotto to You" Series

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 brings you joy.

Please share our emails with friends and family. Help spread the word that The Grotto is here, and looking forward to the glorious day when we can reopen our gates to all.

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Day 16: The Peace Garden

The Marguerite M. Casey Peace Garden (1989)

The Peace Garden was made possible in 1989 by a gift from Henry J. Casey in memory if his sister Marguerite.

The central feature of the garden is a large pond and flowing stream, symbolic of baptism. It covers one and a half acres in The Grotto Upper Gardens.

Darkness and Light

When entering the garden and walking through the winding path in the fullness of summer, you become very aware of darkness and light. That concept was incorporated with purpose to remind us that we are walking into the mystery of our redemption.

Mysteries of the Rosary

Incorporated into the landscaping of the garden are the mysteries of the rosary. They are magnificently depicted in individual bronze plaques grouped into the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous mysteries. These plaques will be featured in an upcoming edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."

Visiting the Peace Garden

The Peace Garden is located in The Grotto Upper Gardens. A paved pathway winds you through the garden. There are plenty of benches for you to stop and enjoy the tranquility.

Prayer for Inner Peace

Lord, please put Your peace in my heart. I'm worried and anxious. My mind races and obsesses. I can't help thinking about my problems. And the more I think about them, the more depressed I become. I feel like I'm sinking down in quicksand and can't get out.

Calm me, Blessed Lord…calm my heart, my mind, my soul! Slow me down, put Your peace in my heart. No matter what problem I have, Lord, You are bigger, You are more powerful than it is.

So I bring all my problems to You in this moment. I know what I want. I know my own will. But I do not know Yours, Lord, Your holy Will. I do not know how You will use the problems I have now for my salvation. I do not know what good You will work out from the evils which face me.

But I TRUST You, Holy Lord and God! I trust Your goodness and Your wisdom.

So, without hesitation or reserve, I place myself in Your hands.

Please fill my heart with peace.

Lord Jesus, overflow MY heart with the love in YOUR Heart.

Amen.

Prayer for Peace of Mind and Heart

Slow me down, slow me down, O Most Blessed Lord!

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my harried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.

Give me, amidst the confusions of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking “minute vacations” of slowing down to look at a flower; to chat with an old friend or make a new one; to pet a dog; to watch a spider build a web; to smile at a child; or to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me each day that the race is not always won by the swift; that there is more to life than increasing its speed.

Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.

Slow me down, Lord Jesus, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of our greater destiny.

Amen.

A Sanctuary of Peace

On May 29, 1924, three thousand people gathered for the first Mass and dedication of the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother. At the blessing, Archbishop Alexander Christie offered this prayer:

“Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth and surely in this day a sanctuary is needed. Torn with differences, strife, and grief, the world needs sanctuary where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation.”

30 seconds of Peace ...

Click here , or on the photo below to experience a few moments of peace.

The Grotto's Mission

The Grotto offers

a sanctuary of peace,

prayer and natural beauty

for all people.

We hope to see you all enjoying our peaceful gardens very soon.

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

The Grotto Gift Shop is open during our closure. If you do not see an item in our online shop which you would like to purchase, feel free to contact our director of retail sales by clicking here .