A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
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Daily Spiritual Reflection
During this period of confinement many people have taken to learning new skills in cooking, crafting, home improvement, work productivity and communicating, to name a few. When the need arises, and time is ample we gift ourselves with new skills to become more complete and productive persons.
In today’s Gospel, Nicodemus is feeling the need to acquire a new skill. The skill Nicodemus yearns for is a deeper, more meaningful faith in God. In his encounter with Jesus, Nicodemus is invited be born anew which is the skill to encounter the Living God as a Father who guides us in kind mercy.
Today, the Lord invites us to learn the skill of quality prayer by which we can deepen our contact with Him. Learning a new skill in prayerfully encountering God will help us in navigating well these uneasy and challenging times. Where God is found there is peace and love.
Why not let yourself and your family be born anew by learning a new skill in actively encountering the Lord today? Schedule time to watch a Mass that is live streamed. View one of the many great Catholic websites to learn to pray in a different way. Gather your family to listen to the day’s Mass readings or to pray the rosary. Learning the skill of prayer and worship will fill your heart and your home with joy, peace and God’s presence. What a great skill to learn.
Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto.
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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.
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Day 36: Come to the Water
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Water in the Scriptures
Throughout the scriptures, water is an important symbol:
"All you who are thirsty, come to the water!"
Isaiah 55:1
Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again. But whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again."
John 4:13-14
"Beside Restful waters He leads me, He refreshes my soul."
Psalm 23:2
The church uses water to bless, to baptize, and to wash feet in imitation of Jesus on Holy Thursday.
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Calm and Tranquility
Water refreshes us both physically and spiritually. At The Grotto, water flows at St. Philip Benizi's Retreat, through the Peace Garden ponds, outside the Meditation Chapel, and around the Assumption of Mary Statue in the center of the rose garden.
The presence of water can provide a sense of calm and tranquility. We hope you enjoy these images of water at The Grotto, and they bring you a few moments of peace.
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The St. Philip's Retreat
This shrine is of an early Servite, St. Philip Benizi, who chose the life of a hermit in the mountains of Italy, rather than be considered for the Papal Throne. During his time in the mountains, he ate only herbs and drank from a fountain, ever since held to be miraculous by reason of its healing qualities, and called "St. Philip's Spring".
To learn more about St. Philip Benizi's Retreat,
click here
to read an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You." This shrine is located on the lower level.
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The Meditation Chapel Reflection Pools
This building is dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Moyer as a gift to The Grotto from her husband, Tom Moyer, and the Moyer children. The building has received both national and international awards and recognition.
To learn more about the Meditation Chapel,
click here
to read an earlier editiopn of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The Assumption of Mary Fountain
In the center of the rose garden stands the statue of the Assumption of Mary, surrounded by a fountain.
To learn more about the statue and the rose garden,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The Peace Garden
The Peace Garden was made possible in 1989 by a gift from Henry J. Casey in memory of his sister Marguerite. The garden has as its central feature a large pond and flowing stream, symbolic of Baptism.
To learn more about the Peace Garden,
click here
to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
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The Grotto Gift Shop
The Grotto Gift Shop is open for curbside pick-up or online shipping during our closure.
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
.
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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.
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The Series
We hope you are enjoying our daily feature
A Place of Sanctuary: Bringing The Grotto to You.
Week 1
St. Francis of Assisi
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
St. Anne's Chapel
St. Joseph's Grove
The Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel
Spring in the Garden
Our Lady's Grotto
Week 2
St. Jude Thaddeus
Statue of Mary, Our Mother
The Pollinator Garden
St. Philip Benizi's Retreat
Pathways of The Grotto
St. Peregrine Shrine
The Servites
Week 3
Here Light Shines
The Peace Garden
Dambana
Looking Up
Feast of Our Lady at the Foot of the Cross
The Rose Garden
Palm Sunday, The Christus Garden
Week 4
Crosses and Crucifixes
Sacred Heart Statue
Angels of The Grotto
Holy Thursday of The Lord's Supper
Good Friday, Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday, Via Matris
Easter Sunday
Week 5
The Forest
Blessing of the Animals
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
Colors of The Grotto
Mysteries of the Rosary
Lighting a Candle
The Chapel of Mary
Today:
Come to the Water
Tomorrow:
Our Lady of Lavang Shrine
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The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother
NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon
503-254-7371
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