Bringing The Grotto to You

A Place of Sanctuary

Daily Spiritual Reflection

Lord,

You are my light and my help.

Today, Father, let your light illumine the darkness of the fear I feel as this virus rages through the world.

Remind me today that your kindness and mercy are never exhausted, but renewed every morning.

Renew my hope that better days are coming.

Strengthen my faith that you are with me and I have nothing to fear.

Let your love guide my actions and words today that I can brighten another’s day as You brighten mine.

Today Lord, let me be the ambassador of your light and love that hope can once again fill my corner of the world.

Amen.

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.

Click here to purchase .

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 43: The Cliff and Elevator

The North Face of Rocky Butte

The Grotto is located on the north face of Rocky Butte, an extinct cinder cone which erupted sometime between 285,000 and 500,000 years ago.

It is part of the Boring Lava Field, a series of volcanic vents and flows located in Oregon and Washington.

A basalt cliff spans the north face of the butte, and cuts through the property of the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, more commonly known as The Grotto because of the cave carved out of the basalt cliff almost 100 years ago.

The Grotto Cliff

When you first arrive at The Grotto, you will see the cliff through the tall trees.

As you walk toward the plaza, the cliff will become more apparent and impressive in size. By the time you reach the plaza, the cliff is 110 feet high.

To visit the scenic Upper Gardens, you will take a 10-story elevator ride to the top of the cliff.

The Elevator

This 125-foot high elevator that transports visitors to the Upper Gardens of The Grotto was built in 1929 and refurbished in 1986. The elevator remains housed in the original shaft.

The cab, engine and motorworks were replaced in 1986. The elevator control system and cab were updated again in 2007. (Below: the elevator in 1934.)

A Trip to the Top

Visitors can find the entrance to the elevator near the Chapel of Mary. Admission to the Upper Gardens can be purchased in the Visitor Center or Gift Shop, where they will provide you with a token for the turnstile.

As you pass through the turnstile and head toward the elevator, be sure to look up.

As you leave the elevator, you will walk across a short bridge toward the peaceful oasis that lies ahead.

You are certain to enjoy your time in The Grotto Upper Gardens.

To learn more about some of the features in the gardens, click here to check out earlier editions of "Bringing The Grotto to You".

While you are at the top of the cliff, be sure to check out the spectacular view to the north.

Heading back down

In this look back in time, you will notice Mt. St. Helens in the background, before the 1980 eruption which drastically changed its appearance.

The journey today ...

The Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel

The Meditation Chapel sits on the edge of the cliff and offers an incredible view to all who visit.

To learn more about the Meditation Chapel, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."

Statues on the Cliff

Sacred Heart of Jesus

To learn more about this statue, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."

Our Lady of Lourdes

To learn more about this statue, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."

St. Philip Benizi

To learn more about this statue, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."

Caring for the Cliff

Invasive ivy is a continuing problem in the Rocky Butte area. In order to care for the cliff, crews rappel from the top to remove the ivy.

Watch the Rappelling

To really appreciate the size of the cliff, watch the crew rappelling down the cliff to remove the invasive ivy.

Click here to view

Please send us your photos

Do you have a favorite photo from The Grotto? We would love to see it.

Please send photos to [email protected] . We will feature them in an upcoming edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."

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.

The Grotto Gift Shop

The Grotto Gift Shop is open for curbside pick-up or online shipping during our closure. You can shop online, or check out our Curbside Shopping page on our website.

If you do not see what you are looking for, feel free to contact our director of retail operations by clicking here .

Below are just a few of the seasonal items available. Please check out our online shop and our curbside shopping page to learn more.