Bringing The Grotto to You

A Place of Sanctuary

From an Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday

“Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.”

Prayer

Holy Mary, today creation echoes the silence of God.

In the most intense silence the Word was made flesh.

In the silence of the grave the love of the Father and the life of the Son came together and a new creation was born.

Holy Mother, virgin of silence and peaceful mystery, sorrowful, strong, faithful, you stand at the tomb where the Word is silent and the Holy One of God lies.

Today, we keep watch with you.

With you we believe that from darkness comes light and from the earth, life.

We wait for the dawn of that endless day when a new humanity is born.

We wait to see in your Risen Son the new face of humanity redeemed.

We wait to hear the new greeting of peace and to sing the new song of glory.

Mary, Virgin of the Spirit, image of the Church, pray that we may have your faith in the Word your hope in the Kingdom, and your love for God and humanity which is stronger than death.

Amen.

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"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 27: Via Matris

Via Matris (The Way of Our Sorrowful Mother) 1930

This lovely area is dedicated to Mary, woman of sorrow. The seven scenes portray particular events in the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph which were extremely painful. As you walk from scene to scene, you are invited to reflect on events in your own life that are related to what you see before you. These scenes help us to know that we are not alone; others have walked the way before us.

The Via Matris is a traditional Servite reflection similar to the Stations of the Cross. During the Lenten season, The Grotto celebrates this devotion every Friday afternoon.

The Wood Carvings

These 34 wood carvings took almost four years to reach completion in 1930 and are the work of Professor Heider of Pietralba, Italy. They were carved from white pine. Through a gift from the Catholic Foresters of America and generous individual donations, they have been restored to their natural wood state and place in new housings. The have been recognized as some of the most beautiful carvings in the United States.

Below: Originally the wood carvings were painted.Through a gift from the Catholic Foresters of America and generous individual donations, they have been restored to their natural wood state and place in new housings. The have been recognized as some of the most beautiful carvings in the United States.

The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel. He is destined to be a sign that is rejected. And you yourself shall be pierced with a sword, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare. (Luke 2:34-35)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for The Prophecy of Simeon, the first station in the Via Matris. Click Here for Audio Link.

The Second Sorrrow: The Flight into Egypt

The angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph with the command: “Get up and take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Joseph got up and took the child and his mother. They left that night for Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-14)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for The Flight Into Egypt, the second station in the Via Matris. Click Here for Audio Link .

The Third Sorrow: Loss of the Child Jesus in Temple

As they were returning at the end of the paschal feast, the child Jesus remained behind, unknown to his parents. When they found him they were astonished and his mother said to him: “Son, why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.” He said to them: “Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not grasp what he had said to them. (Luke 2:43, 48-49)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Loss of Child Jesus in Temple, the third station in the Via Matris. Click Here for Audio Link .

The Fourth Sorrow: Jesus Meets His Mother

A great crowd of people followed him, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. (Luke 23:37)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus Meets His Mother, the fourth station in the Via Matris. Click Here for Audio Link .

The Fifth Sorrow: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, there is your son.” In turn, he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” (John 19:25-27)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus Dies on the Cross, the fifth station in the Via Matris. Click Here for Audio Link .

The Sixth Sorrow: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

Joseph of Arimathea ... was bold enough to seek an audience with Pilate and gently requested the body of Jesus. Pilate released the corpse to Joseph. Then, having bought a linen shroud, Joseph took him down and wrapped him in the linen. (Mark 15:43-46)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross, the sixth station in the Via Matris.

Click Here for Audio Link .

The Seventh Sorrow: Jesus is Buried

In the place where he had been crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. Because of the Jewish Preparation Day they buried Jesus there, for the tomb was close at hand. (John 19:41-42)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus is Buried, the seventh station in the Via Matris. Click Here for Audio Link .

Conclusion: Fr. Richard Boyle shares some concluding thoughts.

Click Here for Audio Link .

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