Your Sanctuary of Peace: Day 25

Today's Hours of Operation

Grounds: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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

Recitation of the Rosary

11:30 a.m.

Chapel of Mary

Daily Mass

12 noon

Chapel of Mary

Priest Office Hours

10-11:45 a.m. and

3-5 p.m.

Office is located inside the Visitor Center.

Guided Tour Opportunity

The Grotto is offering a guided tour on Monday, April 29 at 1 p.m.

Enjoy a lovely spring stroll through the gardens while learning about The Grotto's history. This tour will take place rain or shine.

Sign up for a spot by clicking the link below. You will be prompted to pay for your ticket to the Upper Garden at the end of the sign up. For more information, please contact events@thegrotto.org.

Space is limited.

Click here to register.

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, May 7 – Erin Peters, Executive Director of Northwest Catholic Counseling Center

Erin will talk about some of the mental health challenges currently facing our community. She will also address how The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center is working on these issues with values of justice and service at their core.

Your Sanctuary of Peace

As part of our Centennial celebration, we would like to share a piece of the sanctuary with you each day in April. We hope you will enjoy learning more about each feature, and find joy and peace by viewing the photographs.

Today: The Forest

The Forest in the City

The Grotto is a 54-acre sanctuary located in the middle of the city of Portland, Oregon. The buildings and gardens are set among, and are surrounded by, a thick, evergreen forest.

Much of the forest is made up from varieties of fir trees, but you can spot dozens of other species, including redwoods, as you stroll through the lower level and the Upper Gardens.

Strolling in the Summer

The canopy of the giant firs creates a wonderfully cool shade in the hot summer months. With the forest and the gentle breeze from the Columbia River Gorge, The Grotto is often one of the coolest places in town on a hot, summer day.

We invite to to join us this summer for a refreshing walk.

A Blessing

Blessed are you, O God, creator of the universe, who has made all things good

and given the earth for us to cultivate.

Grant that we may always use created things gratefully and share your gift with those in need, out of love of Christ of Lord, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever.

Amen.

Don't forget to Look Up

When you visit The Grotto, don't forget to look in every direction. Some of the most spectacular views come from looking up.

Storm Damage

The wind and ice storm in January of this year caused many trees to fall. Among those were 10 massive evergreens, many of them more than 100 feet tall and over 100 years old. Crews worked swiftly to clear the debris and repairs pathways so visitors could return. We are happy to report that the grounds are once again coming to life as we enjoy the rebirth of spring and the replenishment of the forest.

Below: Three giant trees narrowly missed hitting the statue of St. Jude Thaddeus.

Statues and Shrines among the Trees

We hope you enjoy these next photos of just a few of The Grotto's beautiful statues and shrines, situated among the trees on the plaza level and in the Upper Gardens.

We hope you are enjoying the series "Your Sanctuary of Peace".

Tomorrow: The Rhododendrons.

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

The Grotto Gift Shop has a wide variety of items for Confirmation and First Holy Communion, along with an assortment of books, Rosaries, cards, medals, jewelry, home decor, yummy treats, and gifts.

Online Shop