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The Grotto celebrates 80 years of welcoming people from around the world to Mid-county

The Grotto continues to be a place of peace and tranquility in the heart of Mid-Multnomah County

Patty Williams
for THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

Installed in 1989, the Peace Garden covers one and a half acres on the upper level at The Grotto. Incorporated into the landscaping of the garden are the mysteries of the rosary.
For the past 80 years The Grotto has attracted people from around the corner and from the four corners of the earth to Northeast 85th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard. Visitors speak of the peace they experience in the spiritual and natural beauty of this sanctuary, where special tribute is given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, under the title of Our Sorrowful Mother.

The Grotto plans to honor this anniversary Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 and 19. A gala fund-raising celebration will be held Saturday at the Portland Marriott Downtown. In celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Archbishop John G. Vlazny will preside at a noon outdoor mass on Sunday.

The story of this beautiful shrine begins at the end of the 19th century, with a young boy who learned that his mother lay near death after giving birth to a daughter. In tears, the boy ran to the parish church in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. He prayed to the Virgin Mary to intercede for his mother’s life, promising that if she were spared he would one day undertake a great work for the church. Both his mother and sister survived. The future Father Ambrose Mayer never forgot his childhood promise.

This is a view of the main entrance of the sanctuary looking out from Skidmore onto Sandy Boulevard c 1949.
As a young man he joined the Servite Order and in 1918 was sent to serve in Portland. In 1923 he came across acreage owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. It was rugged, untamed wilderness that was once a quarry. He saw this property, as a natural cathedral which, once cleaned up, was perfect for the realization of his dream. With the enthusiastic encouragement of Portland’s Archbishop Alexander Christie, Father Mayer bid all that he had for the property; his $3,000 was accepted as an initial down payment. A national campaign provided the balance.

Crowning the initiation of the project was a hand-written letter from Pope Pius XI, imparting a Special Apostolic Blessing to all those who “In any way or measure, show their good will and assist in erecting the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother in Portland.” In September 1923, the work began. A cave was carved out of the 110-foot basalt cliffside, and a stone altar built, above which was placed an initial depiction of Mary holding the body of her Son after his crucifixion. Several years later this was replaced with replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà.

On May 29, 1924, 3,000 people gathered for the first Mass and dedication. At the blessing, Archbishop Christie offered this prayer: “Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth, where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation.”

The Grotto has continued to change over the years to meet the needs of the people in an ever-changing world. The one constant has been that the dream, work and promise of one man became the ministry of all who serve here.

According to The Grotto’s Executive Director Father Jack Topper, “It’s a wonder to me that after 80 years, there are still many local residents who are often surprised to discover this beautiful sanctuary nestled within our city. Many have visited seasonal events, such as our annual Christmas Festival of Lights, yet have no idea of the extent of the sanctuary’s beautiful gardens and shrines.”

The Grotto is supported solely by the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and proceeds from its gift shop, special events, donations and bequests. The Friars of the Order of Servants of Mary (the Servites) administer the Grotto. The Grotto has a St. Peregrine ministry for those who suffer from cancer, AIDS, and any life-threatening disease, a spiritual direction program and a counseling center that provides professional mental health services to people regardless of their faith. The Grotto Conference Center is available on a rental basis.

You can contact The Grotto at 503-254-7371.

Patty Williams is director of marketing and events at The Grotto.


>>View more photo's of The Grotto here
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