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

There are moments when our souls seem to joyfully sing because of the blessings that flood our lives. There are moments when our souls feel tired from all that concerns us.

In the ups and downs of life, the Psalmist prayed “blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, who carries us.” He knew that what renews the soul is the fact that the believer is never alone. The Lord is our companion walking beside us and caring for us at every step of the way.

Often the Lord carries us especially in the tough and tiresome moments. Like the Psalmist, we can praise God for the support the Lord gives. We are surrounded by the mystery of God which blesses us with divine love as a Father and as Friend. St. Hildegard of Bingen said it best, "God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God."

Whether we are joyful or sad, hopeful or worrisome, tired or rested, the hug of God upon our lives reminds us that God feels what we feel and carries us in love.

Fr. Don Siple, OSM, Rector of The Grotto
Light a Candle at The Grotto

Purchase a candle to be lighted at The Grotto while we are closed. 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

Last week we were happy to report that our gift shop was once again open, following the governor's strict guidelines. Click here to view shopping guidelines and temporary hours.

This week we are delighted to be making another step toward reopening. Following the strict guidelines set out by the Archdiocese of Portland, we will celebrate Mass this Sunday, at 10 a.m. and 12 noon in the Chapel of Mary. Under these guidelines there is a strict attendance limit, and those attending must be registered in advance for contact tracing and crowd control. We can only sign up 21 people per Mass so we are asking that you sign up for only one Mass per four week period.


In the meantime, we hope you continue to enjoy our daily emails until The Grotto is ready to fully open our gates.
Day 71: A Gallery in the Woods
Art Among Nature

Set among the beauty of God's creation, visitors to The Grotto enjoy works of art created by the hands and minds of men and women from all over the world. Whether it is an Italian marble statue, capiz from the Philippines, or a mosaic designed by a local artist, The Grotto is a showcase for all who love art.
A Sample Palette

So many forms of art can be found at The Grotto. From sculpture to tapestry, woodcarving to mosaic, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Since we are currently closed, we offer you this taste of the art that can be discovered when visiting The Grotto.

To learn more about some of the pieces, click the link on the work of art you are interested in to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You" where it was featured. (Please keep in mind that some of the news in the linked email may now be out of date.)
Mosaic


If you enjoy the mastery of mosaics, you may enjoy this earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You" which focused on the mosaics of The Grotto.
Click here to view.
Murals

1: Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mother into Heaven
2: The Fourth Sorrow from the Via Matris
3: The Seventh Sorrow from the Via Matris
4: Archangel Gabriel
5: The Wedding at Cana
6: Murals in the Chapel of Mary

To learn more about these murals, all found in the Chapel of Mary, click here to view an earlier edition of "Bringing The Grotto to You."
Other Mediums: Clay, Stained Glass, Tapestry, Stone

1: Dambana
4: Tapestry in The Grotto Gift Shop*

*This tapestry has not been featured yet in "Bringing The Grotto to You". It is called Homage to the Madonna , and was created by artist Sarah Duque from 1985-1987.

It is a 38 in. x 66 in. embroidery inspired by the  Madonna Enthroned,  painted by Florentine artist Coppo di Marcovaldo from 1265-70, in the Santa Maria dei Servi Church in Orvieto, Italy.

The tapestry is located on the wall as you enter The Grotto Gift Shop.
There is much more ...

We hope you enjoyed this sample of the art which can be found at The Grotto. There is much more.

We look forward to the day when we may reopen our gates and invite you all to come discover your favorite piece of art at The Grotto.

Until then, which is your favorite? We would love to know. Email you answers to [email protected] , or simply reply to this email.
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.

Purchase a Gift Certificate

Not sure what to get someone? Or perhaps you would just like to support The Grotto during our closure?

A Gift Certificate to The Grotto Gift Shop is a great gift. It can be used to purchase admission to the Upper Gardens, candles or store merchandise.

 Shop Online

Check out our online shop if you are unable to visit. And if you don't see something you are interesting in our online shop, feel free to contact our Director of Retail Operations by clicking here and we can make arrangements.
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
The Murals
Mosaics of The Grotto
The Chapel Saints

Week 10
The Grotto Gift Shop
The Servite Mission
Architecture of The Grotto
A Retreat at The Grotto
The Visitor Center
Arriving at The Grotto
Sr. Ruth's Well

Week 11
Celebrating Memorial Day
Today: A Gallery in the Woods
The Grotto
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

NE 85th & Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

503-254-7371