The Grotto Portland

The Grotto Portland Guide –  The Grotto is a beautiful 62-acre
Catholic shrine and botanical garden located in Portland, Oregon.  As a
place of solitude and serenity, The Grotto draws over 200,000 people a year
for peace and spiritual fulfillment. The Grotto offers regular Catholic mass
services, as well as several popular annual events such as the Grotto Festival
of Lights for Christmas.   “The
Grotto” is the popular name of The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful
Mother.  It is a non-profit organization supported solely by the proceeds
of its gift shop and by donations. It is administered by the Order of Friars
Servants of Mary, USA Province. (Source: TheGrotto.org)

The Grotto strives to provide a welcoming presence and a beautiful environment conducive to peace, quiet, and spiritual inspiration. The Grotto offers understanding, compassion, support and hope through a variety of ministries including counseling, education, spiritual direction and liturgical celebrations. The Grotto endeavors to serve all people.

With its fir trees, colorful rhododendrons and other native plants, The Grotto is an inviting destination for all. An internationally-renowned Catholic shrine and botanical garden, The Grotto provides a spiritual and peaceful retreat for more than 200,000 visitors each year from all faiths and all walks of life. Visitors are delighted to discover this 62-acre green space just minutes from downtown Portland.
The heart of the shrine is Our Lady’s Grotto, a rock cave carved into the base of a 110-foot cliff. A life-size marble replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà is featured in its center.

The Grotto’s Chapel of Mary, Gift Shop, Conference Center and Visitor Complex are located on the plaza level with Our Lady’s Grotto. On The Grotto’s upper level, visitors are delighted to discover the manicured gardens, religious artwork, and beautiful panoramic views of the Columbia River Valley, the Cascades and Mt. St. Helens. Also on the upper level are the cliff side Meditation Chapel and the Servite Monastery.

In addition to its beautiful gardens, The Grotto offers comfort, support, and healing through The Grotto Counseling Center and The Grotto Spirituality Program.

The Grotto Conference Center provides a serene setting for business meetings, community workshops, or religious retreats. (Source: TheGrotto.org)

History
of the Grotto. 
Learn more about the history of the Grotto Portland
and how it came to be.

Weddings
at the Grotto. 
The Grotto Portland is a popular place for weddings
due to the beautiful and serene surroundings.

Counseling
at the Grotto.
Seek spiritual guidance and counseling services at the
Grotto Portland.

Donate
to the Grotto –
The Grotto is a place of solitude, peace, and prayer. We
welcome over 200,000 visitors a year. The 62-acres of fir trees, moss covered
rocks, and flowers blended with religious art; along with our other ministries
including the counseling center and spirituality program instill a feeling of
serenity that inspires communion with God and nature. The Grotto needs your
help to continue its ministries. Please make a donation today.

The
Grotto Festival of Lights – Christmas Festival of Lights Schedule

One of the most popular annual events at The Grotto Portland.  The Grotto
Festival of Lights is a wonderful way to celebrate the spirit of the holiday
season while enjoying the beauty of the Grotto in Christmas light displays.


Volunteer
at the Grotto Portland – 
As a Grotto volunteer you are part of a legacy to
the Portland community and to our visitors from the global community. We hope
that volunteer service here will bring you personal fulfillment.  We have
volunteer opportunities available both year around and on an on-call basis for
seasonal, last minute or one-time activities. Members of our volunteer staff are
asked to serve at least one shift a month. We also have volunteers who serve on
an on-call basis to cover in the case of illness, vacations or cancellation.
Other volunteers help out seasonally for our special events, with some of them
working just one day, while others help with many of the events.

Blessing
of the Animals
The Annual Blessing of the Animals is Sunday, July
18, 2010 at 2 p.m. in the plaza.
The Blessing of the Animals is held the
third Sunday of July and offers individuals with pets an opportunity to reflect
upon the positive impact animals have on our emotional and physical well-being.
This annual event attracts a wide variety of animals and their human friends.
Individuals of all faiths are invited to bring their companion animals, properly
restrained, to The Grotto for the Blessing of the Animals. All are welcome.

Advent
to Christmas
We will explore the message of hope as given to us
in the Advent scriptures of Isaiah the prophet to reach a deeper understanding
of Jesus’ place in salvation history and the true meaning of his incarnation.

Freedom
Sunday
Freedom Sunday 2010, July 4, 2010. The Freedom Day
Celebration began at The Grotto Portland in 1976 as a way for new immigrants in Portland
to celebrate their independence. Most of the people who come to give thanks for
the liberty they enjoy in the United States are Southeast Asian. However, the
ethnic groups who participate in this celebration include Polish, Croatian,
Russian, Korean, Filipino, Hispanic, Eritrean, Cambodian, Laotian and
Vietnamese.

The Grotto Portland Mass Schedule


Sunday:
10:00 AM and 12:00 NOON Mass (May Through October Only)
(12:00 NOON Mass is held outdoors in The Grotto Plaza May Through September, weather permitting)

Weekday:
12:00 NOON


St. Peregrine Mass

First Saturday of the month at 12:00 PM


Lent and Easter Liturgies

Ash Wednesday: 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Passion (Palm) Sunday: 10:00 AM
Holy Thursday: 7:30 PM
Good Friday: 7:30 PM
Easter Vigil: 8:00 PM
Easter Sunday: 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM


Christmas Liturgies

December 24: 10:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight
December 25: 10:00 AM


Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

Saturdays 11:00 AM to 12:00 NOON
also 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM during Lent on select Saturdays


Holy Days and Special Events

Please call (503) 254-7371 for Mass schedule


Via Matris

(The Way of Our Sorrowful Mother)
Fridays during Lent 3:00 PM


Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

First Friday of the Month and All Fridays during Lent (except Good Friday) 12:30 – 3:30 PM Benediction 3:30 PM


Assumption of Mary

Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven August 15th, 7:30 PM evening Mass


Feast of St. Anne

Saint Anne Celebration July 26th at 7:30 PM

Portland Grotto Directions and Map


View Larger Map

Location
for The Grotto
– 8840 NE Skidmore Street, Portland, Oregon 97220

We hope you enjoy your visit to the city of Roses and to the The Grotto in
Portland.  If you have photos
of the The Grotto you’d like to share, please contact us or
post them on the Portland photo gallery.