Logan's Traveling Lodge: October 1, The Grotto

Monday afternoon cleared off enough for sun breaks, so we headed for the Grotto. In 1918, Father Ambrose Mayer, of the Servite Order, was sent to minister to the Archdiocese of Portland. He carried with him the desire to fulfill his childhood promise of finding a site on which to build a suitable tribute to Mary, the mother of Jesus. He found the acreage in 1923 which was a quarry used for rock for the rail beds and it was for sale. With approval from the archdiocese he provided the downpayment and a national campaign provided the balance of funds. On this acreage they created the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother. The cave was carved out of the 110ft basalt cliffside and a stone altar was built. On this was placed a replica of Michelangelo's Pieta.

People of all faiths are welcomed here to seek the peace and experience the natural beauty of this holy sanctuary. Included in the lower level is statuary of Jesus, a chapel (where daily mass is held), the stations of the cross and the visitors center. You ride an elevator to the upper level where you find the meditation chapel with a massive wall of glass giving you a panoramic view of Washington, Oregon, Columbia River and Mt. St Helens (on a clear day). We only saw the river. Also up here is an incredible amount of statuary, marble panels depicting the joys and sorrows of Christ, a monastery and convent, St. Anne's Chapel which houses numerous paintings of the Madonna from many countries, a rose gard. A peace pole presented by the Society of Prayer for World Peace (headquarters in Japan), a peace garden that covers 1 1/2 acres with streams and small waterfalls into ponds which are symbolic of baptism. There is much more, but most of all we enjoyed the sense of peace, listening to the birds and watching squirrels play and just enjoying it all. (it was also good for 6,000 steps on the pedometer).