Bringing The Grotto to You

A Place of Sanctuary

Daily Spiritual Reflection

There is something very comforting about the scene in today’s Gospel reading. In the days after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were trying to understand the “new normal” of life in the shadow of this momentous event. Their Lord who was dead a few days ago is now alive. Today they go fishing maybe to simply pass the time as they reflect on Jesus’ new part in their life. Feeling, confused and alone they fish. On the shore though, their Lord stands watch. He is ever near whether they are aware of His presence or not. They fish, realize that Jesus stands on the shore and share breakfast with their Lord. Having Him close, they feel empowered to navigate the new life He invites them to.

In the last month we have had to navigate a new normal as we reorder life to stay healthy. New ways of living and communicating. Creating new daily routines to feel some normalcy in a rather abnormal moment. In the midst of this moment, Our Lord is ever near. He is on the shore of our lives keeping watch over us, inviting us to share breakfast with Him where He wants to listen to our joys and concerns, our hopes and our fears. In all things Jesus reminds us that He is always near.

Today, in the midst of all that fills your day, make some time to sit on the shore with Jesus and sharing a meal of love, tell the Lord what you need. He will always give you the food of faith to birth hope in your day.

Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto.

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.

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Bringing The Grotto to You

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 33: Mysteries of the Rosary

The Mysteries of the Rosary at The Grotto

Incorporated into the landscaping of the Peace Garden are the Mysteries of the Rosary. They are magnificently depicted in individual bronze plaques grouped into the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous mysteries.

The striking work was done by artist Mary Lewis of Rainier, Oregon, who designed and created the plaques depicting the original three Mysteries of the Rosary in 1989, and returned to the Grotto after Pope John Paul II established the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. The Luminous Mysteries at The Grotto were dedicated in 2006.

Her bas-relief interpretations are beautifully executed in bronze.

The Rosary

The rosary is a prayer form that many Catholics use as a meditative prayer on the life and death of Jesus. It recognizes the role of Mary as the first disciple, and challenges us to follow as faithfully as Mary did. The events recalled in the various "mysteries" provide a focal point throughout a series of repeating prayers.

Ever Ancient, Ever New: A Brief History of the Rosary

What is the Rosary?

Where did it come from?

How do you pray the Rosary?

The Hail Mary Prayer

Why Rosary Beads?

Other Types of Rosaries

The Servite Rosary

Click Here to Read

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Mysteries of the Rosary were introduced by Dominic of Prussia sometime between the years 1410 and 1439. Each decade of the rosary is given a unique quality. Each mystery leads us to ponder very specific events in the lives of Jesus and Mary and the lessons they hold for our own lives today.

On October 16, 2002, almost 600 years after the original Mysteries of the Rosary were established, Pope John Paul II proposed adding a new set of mysteries called the “Luminous Mysteries” (the Mysteries of Light), as seen above.

The Mysteries of the Rosary Path

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. The Mysteries of the Rosary tell that story.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation to Mary

2. The Visitation of Mary

3. The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ

4. The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony of Christ in the Garden

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

3. The Crowning with Thorns

4. The Carrying of the Cross

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Our Lord

2. The Ascension of Our Lord

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles

4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

5. The Coronation of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of the Lord

2. The Wedding at Cana

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom

4. The Transfiguration

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

A close-up view

Each bronze plaque is highly-detailed work of art.

The Peace Garden

The Mysteries of the Rosary are located in the Peace Garden in The Grotto Upper Gardens.

To see more of the Peace Garden, click here to view a previous edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."

We invite you all to come and enjoy the serenity of the garden, and view the beautiful Mysteries of the Rosary, as soon as we reopen.

Enjoy a Snowy Walk

Enjoy a 30-second walk down a very snowy Mysteries of the Rosary path.

Recorded in the winter of 2017.

Click here to view

The Grotto Gift Shop

The Grotto Gift Shop is open for curbside pick-up or online shipping during our closure.

You can shop online now, or check out our new Curbside Shopping page on our website.

The Grotto Gift Shop has a wide selection of rosaries. Click here to view the rosaries below.

If you do not see what you are looking for in our online shop, you may contact our director of retail operations by clicking here .

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.