Earth Day 2022

Today, April 22, is celebrated worldwide as Earth Day. It is a day of appreciation for all of God's creation, and a day to promote stewardship of the environment.

Seven years ago, Pope Francis wrote the encyclical letter Laudato Si' on care for our common home. We are inspired by the words of The Holy Father, and celebrate the presence of God in nature at The Grotto.
Easter Faith

Father of love and life, thank you for this new day. As you constantly unfold unto us the glorious mysteries of the Resurrection Jesus, your Only Begotten Son, grant us the grace that we may be able to enter into a deeper commitment of love and service toward our brothers and sisters. Through the guidance of your Spirit, constantly reveal to us you Truth, Jesus Christ. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

St. Peregrine, pray for us.

Amen.

Fr. Edgar Benedi-an
Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Upper Gardens admission sold until 5:30 p.m.

Priest's Office Hours

10-11:45 a.m. and
3-5 p.m.
Plaza office (located inside the Visitor Center)

Recitation of the Rosary

11:30 a.m.
Chapel of Mary

Daily Mass

12 noon
Chapel of Mary
Coming Up: Spring Alleluia Concert Series

Saturday, April 23

Jesuit High School, 2 p.m.
Mount Si High School, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

Wisdom to Wonder, 2 p.m.
Denise Tomasovic and Elisa Morelli, 3:30 p.m.

All concerts will be held in the Chapel of Mary. Free admission.
Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home

This encyclical letter from Pope Francis is addressed to "every person living on this planet" for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path.

This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility.

To read the entire Laudato Si', please click here.
Praise be to you, my Lord

The title of Pope Francis' encyclical letter is taken from the first line of the Canticle of the Sun, "Laudato si', mi Signore," or "Praise be to you, my Lord."

In the words of this beautiful canticle from Saint Francis of Assisi, he reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life, and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.
Canticle of the Sun

Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of you, Most High.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi is revered by Christians everywhere. He was known as a person of peace and a lover of nature. In the simplicity of his life, he saw the hand of God in all creation.

This beautiful statue of St. Francis, seen above, is located in The Grotto Upper Gardens, the same gardens where we spotted all these creatures below.
The Pollinator Garden at The Grotto

As part of America’s Faith-Based Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with The Grotto to engage the public on the importance of pollinators, including the monarch butterfly.
 
Work began in 2016 to build a butterfly habitat in the Upper Gardens outside the Meditation Chapel, in order to create a suitable and protected environment for caterpillars and butterflies to thrive. We are now delighted to see butterflies enjoying the gardens.
A Place of Sanctuary

The Grotto is a 54-acre sanctuary in the middle of the city. The buildings and beautiful gardens are nestled in a thick forest, which is a large habitat for wildlife. More than 1000 species of plants grow at The Grotto.

Please enjoy these photos, all taken at The Grotto, celebrating God's Creation.
As we celebrate Earth Day, listen to the sounds of the birds singing in our peaceful sanctuary.
Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The shop offers a wide variety of items for Confirmation and First Holy Communion, along with a vast array of books, cards, statuary, jewelry, Rosaries and home accessories.