To be first

This is not the case among you. If anyone wants to be great among you, let him be your servant. - Mark 10:43

Most people know that I love playing soccer. Often in games with friends, I want to be a “star.” Indeed, this is what those who consider themselves experts in a certain sport are usually pursuing. In every match they certainly hope to be number one, because it is a matter of pride. We certainly realize that as human beings; we love competition very much and always try to be the first. Sometimes we fail to understand that it takes process and time to be the first, and many want to get there with a shortcut.

Talking about being the first, have we ever realized that it turns out that the Lord Jesus wants other things for us in living life? We can see it in the gospel today with the request of the children of Zebedee that the Lord Jesus share the glory with them. For us, glory is when we become the main character, but that is not glory to Jesus. The main thing that must be achieved is to be a servant. I personally feel rebuked and reminded again that my position in the church is an invitation to be a servant - to serve people so that they can worship and grow in faith and hope. Do I think about my accomplishments as a service for God? Oftentimes, we praise ourselves for our accomplishments and forget to praise God who has everything written on His book.

Prayer

May God, who calls us to serve, help us to recognize that our strength comes from him. May we understand that God will call us his friends if we truly do what he commands us to do. And through our service to our fellow human beings, may we bear fruit abundantly for the Kingdom of God.

Amen.

Fr. Leo Hambur, OSM
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Daily Mass

12 noon in The Grotto Plaza
Daily Recitation of the Rosary

Pope Francis invites Catholics and Marian Shrines around the world to dedicate the month of May to a marathon of prayer for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Daily recitation of the Rosary at The Grotto will take place everyday, one half hour before each Mass.
Priest's Office Hours

Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

The Servite Friars gladly await your request for confession, spiritual guidance and blessing of articles. You may also set up an appointment for a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine. The office is located at the Visitor Center. Masks required.
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Click on the video and take a moment to relax and experience the serenity of the sanctuary.

Today, the Peace Pole in the Upper Gardens proclaims "Let Peace Prevail on Earth" in English, Spanish, Japanese and Russian.

Join Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM, Rector of The Grotto, for a daily stroll through the garden.

Each day, enjoy photos and videos taken by Father Vidal, often during hours when the grounds are closed.

Today, take a walk around the Rose Garden.

Remembering a year ago:
Bringing The Grotto to You

One year ago, in response to the growing pandemic, we began a series of daily emails called "A Place of Sanctuary: Bringing The Grotto to You." We closed completely a short time later, and that closure lasted for months.

The "Bringing The Grotto to You" series highlighted a feature at (or about) The Grotto each day. The series lasted for 88 days, the length of our closure.

We hope you enjoy this feature, "Looking Back", where we will share a piece of those emails every day for 88 days. Click the link below to view today's feature, which was originally shared this time last year.
The Servite Friars (from left to right)

Father Vidal Martinez, OSM, Rector: FatherVidal@thegrotto.org
Father Ignatius Kissel, OSM: FatherIgnatius@thegrotto.org
Father Leo Hambur, OSM: FatherLeo@thegrotto.org
Father Edgar Benedi-an, OSM: FatherEdgar@thegrotto.org
There is a new time for the weekly Bible Study Livestream with Fr. Edgar Benedi-an, OSM: Saturdays from 9:15-10 a.m. For more information, please click the button below.