Bringing The Grotto to You

A Place of Sanctuary

Daily Spiritual Reflection

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

“The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.” Matthew 21:6

A number of years ago a television commercial asked the viewer “what would you do” to obtain a certain ice cream bar? The commercial showed people doing various humorous and silly things to obtain the ice cream bar. The viewer was left with the idea that obtaining the ice cream bar was indeed worth undertaking humorous and silly actions.

Often, we are willing to fulfill specific requirements to obtain what we need and what we like. Today we enter the most sacred week of the year. The events of Holy Week reveal the depth of the length that God is willing to go to have a place in our lives.

This week Christ our God will be betrayed by a friend, falsely accused, unjustly condemned to death, suffer severe punishment and endure a torturous death because of us. Yes, the Lord of heaven and earth, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, the All Holy and Immortal One will suffer for us. Why? Because the thought of loving us through our pain, fear, shame, suffering and illness to healing, hope and peace is powerfully overwhelming to God.

The hope of having a place in our lives drove Christ to suffer for us. It’s what drives Him to love us always. In God’s heart we are worth His pain that we may know His love. This is what God is willing to do for you us. What are we willing to do for Him?

Have a blessed Holy Week.

Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto

From the Mass of Palm Sunday

Dear brothers and sisters, since the beginning of Lent until now we have prepared our hearts by penance and charitable works. Today we gather together to herald with the whole Church the beginning of the celebration of Our Lord’s Paschal Mystery, that is to say, of his Passion and Resurrection. For it was to accomplish this Mystery that he entered his own city of Jerusalem. Therefore, with all faith and devotion, let us commemorate the Lord’s entry into the city for our salvation, following in his footsteps, so that, being made by his grace partakers of the Cross, we may have a share also in his Resurrection and in his life.

What Palm Sunday Means

To learn more about Palm Sunday, click here to read "What Palm Sunday Means" by DD Emmons.

"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.

Day 21: The Christus Garden

The Christus Statue (1931)

This immense bronze statue of Jesus carrying the cross was cast in Gesslingen, Wurttemburg, Germany, in 1931 by Professor Pruszinski.

Its presence reflects the burden Christ carried in the central act of our salvation. In his present position, Jesus has his head uplifted and is pointing to the lofty Statue of Mary, high atop the sheer cliff.

He appears to be representing the message of the Sanctuary, "Behold your Mother."

Early Years

With its dedication in 1931, the Christus statue was one of the first installations at The Grotto.

Below: The statue is seen next to a small chapel, which was the first chapel at the Sanctuary. That chapel, which is no longer there, was replaced years later by the Chapel of Mary. (Stay tuned for a future installment of "Bringing The Grotto to You" to learn more about the Chapel of Mary.)

Restoration

The statue was restored in 1995 thanks to the generous support of donors.

The Christus Garden

The Christus Garden is located on The Grotto's lower level, near the plaza. There are several benches for you to sit and reflect, pray or simply rest.

The lower level is free to all throughout the year.

In the garden grows one of the largest rhododendron shrubs at The Grotto.

The Grotto's many rhodies bloom primarily in April and May, and usually put on a spectacular show around Mother's Day.

A Prayer for Palm Sunday

O Lord, who on this day entered the rebellious city that later rejected you: we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem’s, that our faith is often more show than substance, that our hearts are in need of cleansing. Have mercy on us, son of David, Savior of our lives. Help us to lay at your feet all that we have and all that we are, trusting you to forgive what is sinful, to heal what is broken, to welcome our praises, and to receive us as your own.

Amen.

Send us your photos

Do you have a favorite photo of the Christus Statue that you took while visiting The Grotto? We would love to see it.

Please email them to [email protected] , or use the hashtag #TheGrottoPDX. We will be sharing your photos in an upcoming feature.

The Grotto Gift Shop

The Grotto Gift Shop is open for curbside pick-up or online shipping during our closure. Check out our new Curbside Shopping page on our website.

We can arrange curbside pick-up before Easter!

If you do not see an item in our online shop which you would like to purchase, or you would like to arrange a curbside pick-up, contact our director of retail sales by clicking here .

For more information and pricing about any of the above items, and to see more, click here . We can also arrange curbside pick-up for other items in our shop.

To order items from our regular online shop with regular shipping, click here .

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.

Mass Enrollment Cards

Perpetual Enrollment in The Grotto’s Guild of Masses and Prayer honors yourself, your family or your loved ones, and provides support for The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother.

Click here to purchase