Across the United States and around the world there are incredible “faith spots,” if you will. An area may be known for a very special retreat house, or a shrine, or a giant statue on a hill overlooking the freeway. So often, these are very little known outside the local areas. Yet, people could benefit from including visits to these places during their work trips or vacations. For those who can’t make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, or Fatima, or Rome, there are a lot of places in our own backyards where the presence of God is very profound. Share your take on this on Friday with Jerry and Debbie at Noon ET!
07/08/2016 at 8:56 pm
Here in Oregon, we have a beautiful gem called the National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, usually just called The Grotto. The website is thegrotto.org
It was founded by the Servite order, and there is still a monastery on the grounds. It is an oasis of peace and quiet gardens located in the city of Portland, right on the Oregon/Washington border. I believe it is about 80 years old. There is an outdoor grotto with a replica of the Pieta behind the altar, where Mass is held in the summer. There are rosary gardens, a Lithuanian wayside shrine, carvings of the 7 sorrows of Mary, a rose garden, and a beautiful glass fronted meditation chapel. If you ever get a chance to go there, definitely take the elevator to the upper level gardens or you will miss out on some of the best sights. Also, there is a Holy Door there for the Year of Mercy.
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07/08/2016 at 11:10 pm
Thanks for your comment. Give a listen to the archive of the show. I mentioned The Grotto. I used to live in Portland for eighteen years. I absolutely love the Grotto. What a beautiful gem and gift it is to the Portland area. God bless! Jerry
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