Lord God, may all who come to you in worship experience peace and joy. May our worship of you at Mass not only be on the level of obligation or requirement, but of true worship of our faith and love of you. This we pray and ask you, in Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Mass, Lunch & Learn

Join us every month for this special series. Gather in the Auditorium (directly under the Chapel of Mary) immediately after the noon Mass for lunch and a featured speaker discussing a new topic each month.

Lunch will be provided. Attendance limited to 15 people, sign up required.

Tuesday, Aug. 6: Rick Ganz, Founder & Director of the Faber Institute

Rick, a Spokane native, was educated in Catholic and public schools and entered the Jesuit Order (the Society of Jesus) at the age of nineteen. He has served the Church as Priest, educator, scholar, retreat master, spiritual director and administrator for fifty years.

In 2014, Rick founded the Faber Institute (named for St. Peter Faber, SJ, one of St. Ignatius of Loyola's closest friends). The Institute strives to inspire people to seek greater depth of life, to desire to know God as well as God knows us, and to grow in our availability to Him.

Sign up to attend: Mass, Lunch & Learn

AARP Smart Driver TEK

Technology is constantly changing the driving experience. Blind spot warnings, lane change alerts, emergency response systems – all of it designed and included in most new vehicles to keep you safer. AARP Smart DriverTEK is a FREE 90-minute in-person workshop that familiarizes drivers with all of the latest car tech features.

Thursday, August 15

10 a.m.

The Grotto Conference Center

Attendee Sign Up

Concert on the Lawn with Michael Allen Harrison

Friday, August 23

6 p.m.

The Grotto Upper Gardens

Enjoy an evening of music and conversation with Michael Allen Harrison on the lawn in The Grotto’s scenic Upper Gardens. Guests will delight in the serene setting amid towering firs, offering an enchanting backdrop for the evening.

$75 per person. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages, including beer and wine, are included in your ticket price.

Food and beverages will be available at 6 p.m. Performance begins at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Please email events@thegrotto.org with any questions or for more information.

Click here to purchase tickets

Celebrating the Centennial

As we continue to celebrate our Centennial Anniversary, we hope you will enjoy this next feature, "The Grotto Through the Decades."

Today: The 1930s

The 1930s were an active decade for The Grotto. Many features were installed, and the sanctuary hosted the first United States Marian Congress. Here are some of the highlights.

1930: Via Matris (The Way of Our Sorrowful Mother)

This lovely area is dedicated to Mary, woman of sorrow. 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.

The Wood Carvings

These 34 wood carvings took almost four years to reach completion in 1930 and are the work of Professor Heider of Pietralba, Italy. They were carved from white pine. Through a gift from the Catholic Foresters of America and generous individual donations, they have been restored to their natural wood state and place in new housings. The have been recognized as some of the most beautiful carvings in the United States.

Below: Originally the wood carvings were painted. Through a gift from the Catholic Foresters of America and generous individual donations, they have been restored to their natural wood state and place in new housings. They have been recognized as some of the most beautiful carvings in the United States.

1932: The Christus Statue

This immense bronze statue of Jesus carrying the cross was cast in Gesslingen, Wurttemburg, Germany, by Professor Pruszinski.

The Christus statue was one of the first installations at The Grotto. Its presence reflects the burden Christ carried in the central act of our salvation.

Below: The statue is seen next to a small chapel, which was the first chapel at the Sanctuary. That chapel, which is no longer there, was replaced years later by the Chapel of Mary.

1933: The Statue of Mary, Our Mother

This bronze statue entitled "Mary, Our Mother" stands atop a granite monument some 150 feet above The Grotto.

The statue is one of the earliest installments at The Grotto.

Below: This early photo shows Mary standing above The Grotto, long before the trees on the upper gardens grew around her.

1934: St. Anne's Chapel and The Marian Congress

This small, chapel-like building honors St. Anne, the mother of Mary.

Built in 1934 to house the Blessed Sacrament during the first United States Marian Congress, it is the oldest building at The Grotto.

Below is a photo from the event. It was later moved to the site of the temporary altar seen here, where it still sits today.

Over 60,000 pilgrims came to the Marian Congress August 12-15, 1934, to celebrate.

1936: Monastery of Our Sorrowful Mother

The monastery is the home of the Servite Friars who minister at The Grotto. In the early years, the Servite community lived in a house off the property on Beech Street, but in 1935 the foundation was laid for this permanent dwelling.

The monastery was completed in 1936. It was renovated in 1985 through the generous donations of many. In 1990, a convent was built behind the monastery which houses four Sisters from the Congregation of Oblates of St. Martha, based in Saltillo, Mexico.

Gift Shop Hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

The Grotto Gift Shop has a wide variety of items including books, rosaries, cards, medals, jewelry, home accessories, yummy treats, and much more.

We invite you to come and explore the store.