A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
D aily Spiritual Reflection

Provided by Fr. Don Siple, OSM
Based on today's Gospel reading

The early community of believers were of “one mind and one heart” as they lived together their faith in the Lord. This does not mean that there were not tensions among them. What it does mean is that they found a way to live together by respecting themselves and each other.

Every person is endowed by Almighty God with an intellect, emotions and a personality. By these we gain the knowledge to understand ourselves, interact with others and to enjoy all of creation. By gaining knowledge, we learn to respect the giftedness of others and the blessing of creation. We learn that respect, expressed in friendship and appreciation of another’s goodness, is the way to forge healthy and meaningful relationships.

God’s relationship with us is expressed in this same manner. We are called to do for ourselves and others as He does with us. Today, give thanks for the gift of your life, your loved ones and the beauty around you. Thank God for all that is good in your life. Express this gratitude in the way you lovingly care for your family and friends. Being of one mind and one heart is easy if we simply live with others that way that God lives with us.

Love, respect and appreciation is the key to a joyfully harmonious life. The Lord is our example and teacher in this.
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.

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 37: Our Lady of Lavang Shrine
The Multicultural Shrine Path

This shrine is one of the newer shrines at The Grotto. Located in the Upper Gardens, the Shrine to Our Lady of Lavang is one of five wayside shrines found on the multicultural shrine path.

Other wayside shrines include the Lithuanian Shrine, Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Shrine, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, and Dambana, the Filipino Shrine.
Our Lady of Lavang Vietnamese Shrine (2016)

This shrine honors Mary and her apparition to the faithful Vietnamese Catholics as they hid in the jungle during the final years of the 18th century to avoid persecution for their faith.

The Virgin Mary gave them courage and hope, and in the following years, the faithful built a church to give thanks to God for the apparition of the Mother of God.
Building of the Shrine

The construction of this impressive shrine was organized by the members of the Vietnamese community and the Southeast Asian Vicariate in the Archdiocese of Portland.

The shrine was designed by Tam Tran and built by HK Development. Below are photos from construction in the spring and summer of 2016.
Dedication of the Shrine

The Shrine was dedicated on July 3, 2016, at the annual Freedom Day celebration.
Đức TGM Làm phép Tượng Đài Đức Mẹ Lavang

To watch a video from the dedication ceremony with Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, please click here .
Prayer to Our Lady of Lavang

Blessed Lady of Lavang, be my mother and comfort me, especially in times of trial and unhappiness.

Enter my heart and stay with me wherever I may go.

Grant that one day, through you, I may find rest and peace in my Father's house.

Amen.
A closer look ...
The Shrine Garden

A team of volunteers designed and now care for the garden around the shrine. Last summer, they added two weeping cherry blossoms.
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.

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.

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 .
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
Chapel of Mary

Week 6
Come to the Water
Today: Our Lady of Lavang Shrine
Tomorrow: Celebrating God's Creation
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371