A Place of Sanctuary
Bringing The Grotto to You
Daily Spiritual Reflection

“I will sing of your mercy forever, LORD, proclaim your faithfulness through all ages.” Psalm 89:2

Many people engage in “Throwback Thursday” on social media by sharing a photograph or a memory of something good from the past. I suspect that such reflection brings happiness to the one posting. So today, can you remember something wonderful that God did for you? What was it? Did it bring happiness to your life? Why not share this with someone?

When the Psalmist wrote that he “will sing of your mercy forever” he was remembering something wonderful that the Lord did in his life. It was a life-changing blessing that proclaimed God’s faithfulness in his life. Remembering the event caused him to burst out in praise “I will sing of your mercy forever”.

You know that God has been faithful in your life. He has seen you through many moments of pain and darkness, like this pandemic. He has gotten over to the Promised Land of hope and blessing. His blessings upon your life are renewed today and every day. Why not shout out praise to God. Praise helps us realize just how blessed we are by our faithful God. Today is your throwback Thursday of faith. Give praise and enjoy the blessing! 

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.

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 53: The Seven Holy Founders
Back to the Beginning

In keeping with the theme of "Throwback Thursday," today we throw it way back to the very origins of the Servite Order, 787 years ago in Italy.

The Grotto is a ministry of the Servite Friars, Order of Servants of Mary.
The Seven Holy Founders

Before the Servites ever existed as an official religious Order, seven prosperous men came together in the city of Florence, Italy.

As a reflection of the penitential spirit of the times, it had been the custom of these men to meet regularly as members of a religious society established in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. Eventually, the seven left their comfortable homes, put aside their finery and went to live together in a ramshackle building outside the city walls.

The holiness and penitential lifestyle of the seven quickly attracted attention and people seeking prayers and spiritual direction became frequent visitors. To avoid these distractions that they considered a hindrance to the contemplative life they sought, the entire group moved to more peaceful surroundings, and established a hermitage on the summit of a nearby mountain, Monte Senario, sometimes known as the “sounding mountain.”
Coming to be known as the “Friar Servants of Mary,” others joined the first seven on Monte Senario, and as the group continued to grow, the seeds of the new religious Order took root.

The Friar Servants of Mary were approved as a religious Order by the bishop of Florence sometime between the years 1240 and 1247. In the year 1304, the Order of Friar Servants of Mary received definitive approval as a religious Order in the Church by the Holy See.
700th Anniversary Gift Honors Founders

The bronze statue entitled "Mary, Our Mother" stands atop a granite monument 150 feet above The Grotto. The statue is one of the earliest installments at The Grotto.

The statue was a gift from the Catholic Daughters of America in 1933 to honor the 700th Anniversary of the Servite Order.
Around the base of the statue are the Seven Sorrows of Mary (the Via Matris) and the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order, as seen below.

To learn more about the Statue of Mary, Our Mother, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
Statue Dedication

The photo below was taken April 29, 1933, at the dedication.
Canonization of the Seven Holy Founders

Pope Leo XIII canonized them as the Seven Founders of the Servite Order in 1888.

To learn more about the Servite Order, click here to view an earlier 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.

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, feel free to contact our director of retail operations by  clicking here .
Mother's Day Shopping

Looking for something for Mother's Day? How about a Gift Certificate to The Grotto Gift Shop? They are available online or for curbside pickup.
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
Our Lady of Lavang Shrine
Celebrating God's Creation
Our Lady of Lourdes
The Labyrinth
Looking Out a Window
How The Grotto Began

Week 7
The Cliff and Elevator
Lithuanian Wayside Shrine
The Grotto by the Numbers
Music at The Grotto
May Flowers
Take a Closer Look
Outdoor Mass

Week 8
The Feast of St. Peregrine
Celebrating Your Favorites
A Year at The Grotto
Today: The Seven Holy Founders
Tomorrow: Views and Perspectives
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371