Today's Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

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

The Grotto's Shrine Path

There are five shrines on The Grotto's multicultural shrine path including:

Dambana, the Filipino Shrine

Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Patroness of the Americas

Our Lady of Lavang Vietnamese Shrine

The Lithuanian Wayside Shrine

Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Shrine.

Wayside Shrines

Wayside shrines were located along old pilgrim routes. Some mark parish or other boundaries, such as the edge or a landholding, or function as markers for travelers to find their way.

The Grotto's wayside shrines celebrate Mary and other patron saints that particular cultural or ethnic groups honor as inspiration and guides.

The Lithuanian Wayside Shrine (Below)

This shrine honors those who struggled for the freedom of the country fighting for liberty during World War II. The shrine was dedicated in June of 1963.

Typical of the ancient practice of wayside shrines in Lithuania, it is set in a grove of trees.

The shape of the shrine represents the tree of life, and the stylized branches are evergreens.

Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Shrine (Below)

This outdoor shrine contains a replica of the icon popularly know as the Black Madonna. The original icon, depicting Mary and her child Jesus, is darkened from the soot of candles and incense for centuries, and bears the scars of vandalism from the 15th century.

A pilgrimage destination for hundreds of years, the shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland continues to draw countless pilgrims today. The icon's origins and early history are steeped in legend, attributing the authorship to St. Luke the Evangelist. Critical studies have dated the image back to the fourteenth century.

Battles won, territories protected, and countless healings have all been credited to prayer before the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

This shrine was dedicated in 2007.

Dambana, The Filipino Shrine (Below)

Dambana is Filipino word for "altar." This shrine is a sanctuary that brings together the faith and culture of the Filipino people.

Its roof is shaped like a salakot, a traditional Filipino wide-brimmed hat. Its walls are made of capiz, a flat seashell commonly used on windows in Filipino homes.

In the center of the shrine are three stands covered with natural bamboo. Three sculptures are enshrined on these stands.

Our Lady of Dambana , surrounded by three angels representing the three major islands of the Philippines - Luzon, Visayas Mindanao.

Santo Niño de Cebú , the oldest relic in the Philippines. Written on the bamboo stand is the Cebuano "Hail Mary" in Baybayin, the ancient Filipino alphabet.

San Lorenzo Ruiz , the first Filipino saint.

This Shrine was dedicated in 2008.

Our Lady of Lavang Vietnamese Shrine (Below)

This shrine honors Mary and her apparition to the faithful Vietnamese Catholics as they hid in the jungle during the final years of the 18th century to avoid persecution for their faith.

The Virgin Mary gave them courage and hope, and in the following years, the faithful built a church to give thanks to God for the apparition of the Mother of God.

This shrine was dedicated in 2016.

The Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas (Below)

The mosaics in this shrine tell the story of Our Lady's appearance on December 12, 1531, to Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian who had converted to the Catholic faith. Mary asked that a church be built on the hill of Tepeyac. Juan Diego delivered the message to the bishop, who asked for a sign from the Virgin Mary.

The humble man returned to the place of the apparition, and once more Mary appeared to him. She told him to gather some roses in his cloak and take them to the bishop. When Juan Diego opened his cloak in front of the bishop, an image of the Virgin, just as he had seen her, appeared on the cloak. The bishop believed and a chapel was built, which marked the beginning of the devotion to Mary in the new world and the spread of the Christian faith.

This shrine was dedicated in 2016.

Mary, Mother of Jesus, as the first disciple of your son you inspire us. Throughout the many lands and cultures of the world, you encourage us and show us all how to be faithful followers of Jesus. May we be ready to respond generously to those in need; may we be present to those who are suffering or struggling, and may we share the good news with those around us.

Holy Mary, pray for us. Amen.