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

Prayer to the Sorrowful Mother of The Grotto

Mary, Mother and Disciple of the Lord Jesus, your example of faith inspires me to follow Jesus in hope of His mercy.

In the joyful moments of your life you celebrated God’s faithfulness.

In the sorrowful moments of your life you trusted God’s faithfulness.

Mary be with me in this difficult moment.

As I stand with you at Jesus’ cross may the compassion and mercy of God inspire me to greater faith in the Lord and encourage me not to fear.

Pray that I and my loved ones will be safe and healthy.

Help me to remember that I am not alone in this uneasy time, but that Jesus is with me, loving me to peace of mind and heart.

Mary, pray for me.

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.

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 61: The Murals
The Chapel of Mary

The Chapel of Mary began construction in 1953 and was dedicated in 1955. The Chapel seats approximately 500 people. The main ceiling vaults to over 50 feet, creating amazing acoustics.

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

Behind the bronze doors of the Chapel, beautiful mosaics, statues and murals embrace all who enter.
The Murals

The paintings on the walls and ceilings are the work of Jose De Soto. He painted churches in Europe and the United States. For many years he also worked at 20th Century Fox painting movie sets.

The centerpiece of the treasured murals on the Chapel walls is entitled "The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mother into Heaven."
The Via Matris

The side walls are the Via Matris, which is Latin for "The Way of the Mother."

The seven scenes portray particular events in the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph which were extremely painful. As you walk from scene to scene, you are invited to reflect on events in your own life that are related to what you see before you. These scenes help us to know that we are not alone; others have walked the way before us.

The Via Matris is a traditional Servite reflection similar to the Stations of the Cross. During the Lenten season, The Grotto celebrates this devotion every Friday afternoon.

You will also see these scenes again in the Upper Gardens in wood carvings. To learn more about the Via Matris in the Upper Gardens, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
The First Sorrow - The Prophecy of Simeon

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel. He is destined to be a sign that is rejected. And you yourself shall be pierced with a sword, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare. (Luke 2:34-35)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for The Prophecy of Simeon, the first station in the Via Matris.

The Second Sorrow - The Flight into Egypt

The angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph with the command:        “Get up and take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Joseph got up and took the child and his mother. They left that night for Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-14)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for The Flight Into Egypt, the second station in the Via Matris.

The Third Sorrow - Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple

As they were returning at the end of the paschal feast, the child Jesus remained behind, unknown to his parents. When they found him they were astonished and his mother said to him: “Son, why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.” He said to them: “Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not grasp what he had said to them. (Luke 2:43, 48-49)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Loss of Child Jesus in Temple, the third station in the Via Matris.

The Fourth Sorrow - Jesus Meets His Mother

A great crowd of people followed him, including women who beat their breasts and lamented over him. (Luke 23:37)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus Meets His Mother, the fourth station in the Via Matris.

The Fifth Sorrow - Jesus Dies on the Cross

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, there is your son.” In turn, he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” (John 19:25-27)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus Dies on the Cross, the fifth station in the Via Matris.

The Sixth Sorrow - Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

Joseph of Arimathea ... was bold enough to seek an audience with Pilate and gently requested the body of Jesus. Pilate released the corpse to Joseph. Then, having bought a linen shroud, Joseph took him down and wrapped him in the linen. (Mark 15:43-46)

Join Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross, the sixth station in the Via Matris.

The Seventh Sorrow - Jesus is Buried

In the place where he had been crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. Because of the Jewish Preparation Day they buried Jesus there, for the tomb was close at hand. (John 19:41-42)

J oin Fr. Richard Boyle, OSM, for a reflection and a prayer for Jesus is Buried, the seventh station in the Via Matris.


Fr. Richard Boyle shares some concluding thoughts.

The Mural Angels

There are many angels depicted in the murals of the Chapel, including Archangel Michael, Archangel Gabriel, and two angels proclaiming Ave Regina (Hail, Queen.)

To view many more angels depicted at The Grotto, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
Behold Thy Mother

The Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother was established by the Servite Friars in 1924 as a memorial to Christ's dying appeal from the cross, "Behold Thy Mother."

To learn more about how The Grotto began, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
The Wedding at Cana

The transformation of water into wine at the Wedding at Cana is the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John.
The Dormition of Joseph

Saint Joseph, the patron of husbands and families, is also the patron saint of a peaceful death. While the death of Saint Joseph is not recorded in the gospels, tradition holds that he probably died before Jesus began his public ministry. As in the mural portraying the dormition (death) of Joseph, most artists show Mary and Jesus at his side when he died - a peaceful death in the presence of Jesus and Mary.
SnowCap Drive-Up Food Drive

Thursday, May 21
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Grotto's Main Parking Lot

Help us gather much-needed items to stock SnowCap's pantry. During this pandemic, food insecurity is at an all-time high.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items. (No clothing items at this time, please.)

Items of Greatest Need:

Canned Vegetables!!!
Bar Soap
Toothpaste
Shampoo

SnowCap Community Charities provides food, clothing, advocacy and other services to those in need. SnowCap has served the East Portland area since the 1960s. To learn more about SnowCap,  click here .

How to drop off your donation: Come to The Grotto's main parking lot, located at NE 85th & Sandy Blvd., between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. Collection bins will be located in the parking lot. If you are arriving by car, you may pull up to the bins where you can drop your items.

Thank You

We thank you for helping us make a difference at this very difficult time. If you have any questions about this drive, please contact our Director of Community Engagement, Vinci Paterson, at  [email protected] .

For SnowCap questions, please email  [email protected] .
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 .
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
The Seven Holy Founders
Views and Perspectives
The Rhododendrons
Mother's Day at The Grotto

Week 9
Twilight at The Grotto
The Peace Pole
Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Shrine
A Seat Waiting for You
Today: The Murals
Tomorrow: Mosaics of The Grotto
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371