Mother's Day at The Grotto

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day from the Servite Friars, the Sisters who minister at The Grotto, and the entire Grotto staff. May you have a joyful and blessed day.

We invite you to celebrate this special day at The Grotto, a shrine dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Upper Gardens Free Today for Mothers

The Grotto Upper Gardens will be free to all mothers on Sunday, May 12. Please let our staff in the gift shop or visitor center know to receive your complimentary token to the elevator.

Complimentary Family Photos

10 a.m. - 12 noon

and 12:30 - 2 p.m.

The Grotto Upper Gardens

We will have a photographer ready to take your photo up in the Upper Gardens. You will receive information about how to download your photo after the event.

Today's Hours of Operation

9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

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

(Summer hours begin tomorrow, May 13. The grounds will stay open until 8 p.m. with the last admission to the Upper Gardens sold at 7 p.m.)

Sunday Masses

8 a.m.

10 a.m.

12 noon

The 10 a.m. and noon Masses will be celebrated outside in the plaza, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, all Masses will be celebrated in the Chapel of Mary.

Spanish Mass

2 p.m.

This Mass is celebrated on the second and fourth Sunday of each month in the Chapel of Mary.

Recitation of the Rosary

Recitation of the Rosary takes place 30 minutes prior to each Mass.

A Mother's Day Prayer

Gracious and ever-loving God,

On this Mother’s Day, I focus my thoughts on Our Blessed Mother. I seek her guidance and inspiration to love more deeply.

Like Mary, may I be a courageous witness of your Son, and a vessel of love, empathy and hope.

Help me to say yes to you and those in need around me. Please focus my heart to feel connection and compassion for those who are isolated, sick and poor.

Protect me from fear, anxiety and discouragement so that my words and actions genuinely proclaim you.

And finally, Lord, bless my Mother and all Mothers with the power of your Spirit to seek you in difficult and uncertain situations.

I ask all this through Jesus Christ your Son, and the intercession of Mary, our Blessed Mother.

Amen.

Your Sanctuary of Peace

We hope you enjoy the photographs of our beautiful sanctuary, which we will share throughout the month of May, as we celebrate 100 years of The Grotto.

Today: Mother's Day

A Shrine to Mary, Mother of Jesus

The Grotto is one of the most beautiful Marian shrines in the world. Perhaps no other spot on the entire North American continent blends religious significance so completely and so harmoniously together with natural scenic beauty.

Visitors and pilgrims come to the sanctuary from around the world each year. Some come to worship and others to enjoy The Grotto's natural charm. But all linger to share somehow in the quiet serenity of this shrine dedicated to Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Early Mother's Day Celebration

The Grotto celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year.

Below: The First Celebration of the New Feast "Behold Thy Mother". Taken May 11, 1930.

Mother's Day Today

Visitors and pilgrims still travel from afar to celebrate Mother's Day at The Grotto. It is always a wonderful time of year to wander the gardens, as the rhododendrons are usually at their peak.

And as part of our Centennial celebration, Mom's are FREE today in the Upper Gardens.

We also have a photographer in the gardens from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. You will receive information on how to download your complimentary photos. A great gift for Mom!

Mother and Child

There are many representations of Mother and Child at The Grotto, including those in the multicultural shrines. We hope you enjoy this tour of some of the Mother and Child images found at The Grotto.

Below: Our Lady of Lavang Vietnamese Shrine

Below: Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Shrine

Below: Lithuanian Wayside Shrine

Below: Chapel of Mary Tower

Below: St. Joseph's Grove

Below: Mysteries of the Rosary in the Peace Garden

Via Matris (Way of the Mother)

The seven scenes of the Via Matris portray the Seven Sorrows of Mary, 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 Grotto has both an indoor Via Matris in the Chapel of Mary, and an outdoor Via Matris in the Upper Gardens.

Below: A scene from the outdoor Via Matris wood carvings in the Upper Level Gardens.

Below: A scene from the Via Matris murals in the Chapel of Mary.

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a mother's love can understand our tears, can soothe our disappoints and calm all our fears.

There are times when only a mother's love can share the joy we feel when something we have dreamed about quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a mother's faith can help us on life's way and inspire in us the confidence we need from day to day.

For a mother's heart and a mother's faith and a mother's steadfast love were fashioned by the angels and sent from God above.

Mother's Day Prayers for All Walks of Life

Click here to view a collection of prayers for mothers for all walks of life.

Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The Grotto Gift Shop carries a great collection of items for Mother's Day, including jewelry, home accessories, books, Rosaries, cards, yummy treats, and much more.

Online Shop