Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Upper Gardens admission is sold until 7:30 p.m.
Priest's Office Hours

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

Recitation of the Rosary

11:30 a.m.
Chapel of Mary
Daily Mass

12 noon
Chapel of Mary
Vine and Branches

Loving God, your son Jesus said to the disciples, “I am the vine, and you are the branches.” Help us to be rooted in your love, guided by the example of Jesus. Guide us in our words and actions, so that those around us may see in us the compassion, forgiveness, and hope that Jesus has shared with us. Amen.

Fr. Ignatius Kissel, OSM
The Changing View of Mt. St. Helens

In the spring of 1980, a series of volcanic explosions and pyroclastic flows began at Mt. St. Helens, 52 miles north of The Grotto. Activity, including steam venting and earthquakes, escalated until Sunday, May 1, 1980, when a major explosive eruption took place. The eruption, which was visible from Portland, caused the north face of the mountain to slide away, creating a large crater which exists today. The landscape was changed forever.

From The Grotto's Meditation Chapel in the Upper Gardens, the south face of the mountain is visible on a clear day. However, the shape has changed and the elevation of the mountain dropped 1370 feet, from 9,677 feet to 8,307 feet.

Below: a photo taken in the 1950s during construction of the Chapel of Mary, before the massive eruption, followed by a recent photo.
Enjoy the sunset from the Meditation Chapel. On a clear day, you can see Mt. St. Helens.
Would you like to work at The Grotto Gift Shop?

Seeking part-time staff for evenings and weekends in The Grotto Gift Shop and Visitor Center. If you are interested, please contact Nikki Killian, Director of Retail Operations, at nkillian@thegrotto.org or by calling 503-254-7371. Or, just drop by the shop during open hours and fill out an application.
Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The Grotto Gift Shop carries a great collection of items for Mother's Day, including jewelry, home decor, accessories, books, rosaries and greeting cards.