The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother (The Grotto)

Our Parish for the Week of August 18

The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother (The Grotto)

This week we are featuring the National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother in Northeast Portland! While not officially a parish, The Grotto is a local hub for prayer, the Sacraments, and community. Stop by The Grotto anytime – entry to the lower gardens is free! The stunning upper gardens offer many opportunities for devotion and a beautiful view of Portland.

The Chapel of Mary

  • The Chapel of Mary was built in 1955 and dedicated by Archbishop Edward Howard, DD, and was designed by Luther Dugan. The rock used to build it came from the Rocky Butte Quarry. On the north side is a 110 foot bell tower, crowned with a gold dome and cross. The bas-relief over the bronze doors and marble entrance to the Chapel portray the Baptism of Christ.
  • Inside, the Chapel seats 600 people. Warm marble walls, Arizona sandstone floors, woodwork of Korina, Swedish marble, mosaics, graceful statues and murals embrace all who enter. The acoustics in the Chapel make it a magnificent place to perform.
  • The paintings on the walls and ceilings are the work of Jose De Soto. He has painted churches in Europe and the US. The centerpiece of the treasured murals on the Chapel walls is entitled “The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mother in Heaven.” The side walls are the Via Matris. They depict different moments in the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Other Features of the  Grotto

  • The iconic Grotto cave is approximately 30 feet wide, 30 feet deep and almost 50 feet high. It was carved out of the face of the cliff in 1923. Fr. Ambrose Mayer, founder of The Grotto, placed a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà in the cave in 1946. The statue of the Virgin Mother holding Jesus in her arms is made of Carrara marble.
  • A circular path near the parking area leads visitors to the 14 Stations of The Cross. The bronze bas-relief sculptures were purchased by The Grotto’s founder, Father Ambrose Mayer, OSM, in 1930. Set in shrines of tufa stone, surrounded by trees, flowers and ferns, they were erected along two rising paths at the base of the cliff. The volcanic rock used in construction of the Stations came from Battle Ground, Washington.
  • The Grotto is home to hundreds of beautifully carved statues. Whether it is the bronze image of St. Francis of Assisi, or the tender marble statue of St. Joseph and the child Jesus, or the timeless wood sculptures featured in the Via Matris, each one is special. The statues at The Grotto are made from marble, granite, bronze, wood, polyester resin and fiberglass.
  • The Grotto Meditation Chapel, built in 1991 to honor the memory of Marilyn Moyer, rises from the north face of Rocky Butte; it provides a panoramic vista of the Columbia River and Mt. St. Helens. On a clear day even Mt. Rainier may be visible. The Meditation Chapel is 1,500 square feet in size, built of polished granite.
  • The Upper Garden are the perfect peaceful place to pray. Walking paths take you through shrines of our Blessed Mother from various countries, the Saint Joseph Grove, the Via Matris (Way of Our Sorrowful Mother), the Mysteries of the Rosary, the Peace Garden, and much more!

The Servites

  • The Grotto is staffed by the Friars of the Order of Servants of Mary (The Servites). The Servites are a religious family that embraces a membership of friars (priests and brothers), contemplative nuns, a congregation of active sisters and lay groups. The Servites lead a community life in the tradition of the mendicant orders (such as the Dominicans and Franciscans). The Servite Order was founded in the early part of the 13th century (1233 AD), when a group of cloth merchants of Florence, Italy, left their city, families and professions to retire outside the city on a mountain known as Monte Senario for a life of poverty and penance. These men are known as the Seven Holy Founders; they were canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888.
  • From the beginning, the members of the Order dedicated themselves to Mary under her title of Mother of Sorrows. Through the centuries, the Servite Order has spread throughout the world, including all of Europe, parts of Africa, Australia, the Americas, India and the Philippines. The general headquarters of the Servite Order is in Rome, while many provinces and motherhouses represent the Order throughout the world. In the United States there is one province of friars with headquarters in Chicago.

Liturgy Schedule

  • MASS SCHEDULE
    • Sunday Mass at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 noon
      • During the warmer months, from May – September, the 10 a.m. and noon Mass will be celebrated outdoors in The Grotto Plaza, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, all Masses will be celebrated in the Chapel of Mary.
    • Daily Mass (Monday – Saturday) at 12 noon in the Chapel of Mary
    • St. Peregrine Mass (and Blessing with the Relic of St. Peregrine)
      • First Saturday of the month at 12 noon in the Chapel of Mary. In the summer months, this Mass will be held outdoors in the plaza, weather permitting.
    • Spanish Mass at 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
    • Filipino Mass at 2 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month.
  • RECITATION OF THE ROSARY
    • Daily recitation of the Rosary at The Grotto will take place everyday, one half hour before each Mass.
  • PRIEST’S OFFICE HOURS (and Sacrament of Reconciliation)
    • Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 11:45 AM & 3:00 – 5:00 PM
    • Located in the Friars Office in the Visitor Center.

Centennial Celebration

For almost the past year, The Grotto has been celebrating their centennial with a full year of incredible events! Join in the final events this September celebrating our local treasure of prayer and peace.

  • Opening and Blessing of Interpretive Center
    • Friday, September 13, 2024
    • Opening of new Grotto Interpretive Center in the visitor center followed by reception
  • Centennial Dinner
    • Saturday, September 14, 2024
    • Dinner on the upper level; Archbishop Sample guest of honor
  • Centennial Mass, Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
    • Sunday, September 15, 2024
    • Archbishop Sample celebrant; Father Eugene Smith concelebrant; reception and blessing

At the dedication of the shrine in 1924, Archbishop Alexander Christie proclaimed:

“Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth and surely in this day a sanctuary is needed. Torn with differences, strife, and grief, the world needs sanctuary where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation.”

Learn more about The Grotto, especially the Centennial, through their website!