The Grotto (Portland, Oregon)
The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother | |
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The Grotto | |
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The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, popularly known as The Grotto, is a
History
The Grotto was established in 1924 by Friar Ambrose Mayer, a native of
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.[3] 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.
Vandalism
On November 30, 2012, unknown vandals broke into the grounds and vandalized multiple statues.
Features
- Plaza Level
- Meditation Chapel[16]
- shrines[17]
- Lithuanian Wayside Shrine
- Our Lady of CzęstochowaPolish Shrine
- Dambana, Filipino Faith Shrine
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
- Our Lady of La Vang Shrine
- Peace Garden[18]
- Mysteries of the Rosary[19]
- Monastery[20]
- Rose Garden[21]
- St. Anne's Chapel[22]
- Via Matris[23]
Sculptures
The Smithsonian Institution has 23 statues and memorials registered at The Grotto:[24]
- 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[2] 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.[2]
Monastery
The Grotto's 1936 monastery houses friars of the Servite Order.[25]
References
- ^ "The Grotto". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ^ a b c Bingham, Larry (November 23, 2012). "Grotto festival grows but preserves mission". The Oregonian. p. B2. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Our History". The Grotto. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ Graves, James (December 30, 2013). "Sanctuary provides refuge for seekers of peace, consolation". Our Sunday Visitor. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ISBN 978-1-60469-451-2.
- ISBN 978-0897329385.
- ^ "Spring at the Grotto. Have You Taken the Elevator Up?". The Grotto. October 20, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-1550225860.
- ^ a b c d Staff (November 30, 2012). "Religious statues beheaded at Portland Grotto". KGW. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ^ Chapel of Mary
- ^ The Grotto
- ^ Stations of the Cross
- ^ Statues
- ^ Upper Level Gardens
- ^ Map Upper Gardens
- ^ The Grotto Meditation Chapel
- ^ Shrines at the Grotto
- ^ The Peace Garden
- ^ Mysteries of the Rosary
- ^ The Monastery
- ^ The Rose Garden
- ^ St. Anne's Chapel
- ^ Via Matris
- ^ "Collections Search: The Grotto Portland". The Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ^ "The Monastery". The Grotto. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
External links
- The Grotto (official website)