The Grotto (Portland, Oregon)

The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, popularly known as The Grotto, is a Catholic outdoor altar and sanctuary located in the Madison South district of Portland, Oregon, United States. Constructed in 1924, the sanctuary covers Template:Convert,<ref name=oreg2012nov>Template:Cite news</ref> set both at the foot of, and atop, a Template:Convert cliff. It is a ministry of the Servite Friars, Order of Friar Servants of Mary. A large meditation hall whose main chamber is at clifftop level extends down to the foot of the cliff; the cross on the hill is visible many miles away. In addition to a church, there are several thousand feet of trails, including a trail of the Stations of the Cross, along which visitors may pass in contemplation through botanical gardens. The Grotto also features a full-service Conference Center, and a Gift Shop.

History

The Grotto was established in 1924 by Friar Ambrose Mayer, a native of Ontario, Canada, who was sent to the United States where he was a Servite pastor for the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon.<ref name="history">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Upon moving to Portland, Mayer found acreage located outside Northeast Portland that was at the time owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and had been put up for sale to be developed into residential property. Mayer made a downpayment of $3,000 and purchased the property in 1923.<ref name="history"/><ref name="osv">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A national campaign raised the balance of the funds needed to pay for the land.<ref name = "Olson">Template:Cite book</ref>

File:The Grotto (Portland, Oregon) - Welcome sign.jpg

The Grotto welcome sign

Mayer envisioned The Grotto as a natural cathedral, and construction began in September 1923. A cave was carved out of the 110-foot basalt cliff, and a statue of Mary holding Jesus's crucified body was installed.<ref name="history"/> Several years later, a marble recreation of Michelangelo's Pietà was also installed. Three thousand people gathered for the first mass at the Grotto on May 29, 1924.

In 1955, the Chapel of Mary was dedicated on the grounds, and in 1983 the Grotto was designated as a National Sanctuary.<ref name="history"/> The grounds of the Grotto include 62 acres<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> of pathways, forest, and an upper-level botanical garden situated above the cliff, which are accessed through an elevator built against the cliff wall.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The upper botanical gardens also provide expansive views of the Columbia River Valley, the Cascade Mountains, and Mount St. Helens.<ref name="secret">Template:Cite book</ref>

Vandalism

On November 30, 2012, unknown vandals broke into the grounds and vandalized multiple statues.<ref name="kg">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Statues depicting St. Joseph and baby Jesus were beheaded, and a statue of the Virgin Mary was toppled over and also had its head removed.<ref name="kg"/> All of the statues were made of centuries-old Carrara marble.<ref name="kg"/> Two angel statues were also damaged.<ref name="kg"/> The statues have since been replaced or restored.

Features

File:The Grotto, Portland, Oregon (2014) - 41.JPG

An elevator leads to the upper level botanical gardens located above the cliff.<ref name="secret"/>

Plaza Level

• Chapel of Mary<ref>Chapel of Mary</ref>
• The Grotto<ref>The Grotto</ref>
• Stations of the Cross<ref>Stations of the Cross</ref>
• statues<ref>Statues</ref>
• Gift Shop
• Conference Center

Upper Level Gardens<ref>Upper Level Gardens</ref><ref>Map Upper Gardens</ref>

• Meditation Chapel<ref>The Grotto Meditation Chapel</ref>
• shrines<ref>Shrines at the Grotto</ref>
  • Lithuanian Wayside Shrine
  • Our Lady of Częstochowa Polish Shrine
  • Dambana, Filipino Faith Shrine
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
  • Our Lady of La Vang Shrine
• Peace Garden<ref>The Peace Garden</ref>
• Mysteries of the Rosary<ref>Mysteries of the Rosary</ref>
• Monastery<ref>The Monastery</ref>
• Rose Garden<ref>The Rose Garden</ref>
• St. Anne's Chapel<ref>St. Anne's Chapel</ref>
• Via Matris<ref>Via Matris</ref>

File:The Grotto, Portland, Oregon (2014) - 28.JPG

Saint Joseph sculpture at the Grotto.

Sculptures

The Smithsonian Institution has 23 statues and memorials registered at The Grotto:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Glorious Mysteries
• John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial
• Joyful Mysteries
• Kneeling Angels
• Lithuanian Wayside Shrine
• Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel Fountain
• Our Lady of Lourdes
• Peace Pole
• Pietà with Two Angels
• Sacred Heart
• Sacred Heart Shrine
• Saints in Niches
• Sorrowful Mysteries
• Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph
• St. Joseph
• St. Jude Shrine
• St. Philip Benizi
• Stations of the Cross
• Statue of Mary
• The Assumption of Our Blessed Mother
• The Calvary Statue
• The Christus
• Via Matris

Events

There are various events at The Grotto throughout the year, as well as meetings and seminars. Every December The Grotto puts up a huge light display along its trails. The first annual "Festival of Lights" first took place in 1988<ref name=oreg2012nov/> and lasted for ten nights. It has since been expanded in scope and duration, and the 2023 festival will run for 36 days. Besides the light displays, there are nightly concerts, caroling, and other family-oriented entertainment. More than 60,000 people attended the Festival each year.<ref name=oreg2012nov/>

Monastery

The Grotto's 1936 monastery houses friars of the Servite Order.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• The Grotto (official website)