Parking Lot @ The Grotto — Local services in Portland

What an awesome place. I have been going there since I was teenager in the 70s.I used to wander every inch of the place exploring. It feels surreal when you enter the grounds from the surrounding area which if Portland had a red light district Sandy Blvd. from 82nd Avenue to 122nd could be viewed as such. Yet somehow The Grotto has such a calm peaceful energy one quickly becomes totally enthralled in its splendor. At the risk of offending the local residents the easiest way to describe it is like passing through a door from hell straight into heaven. Maybe a bit extreme but you get the picture. Anyway I am not Catholic or religious at all and am well known back on the other side of the door but I am very cognizant that I'm on hallowed grounds no doubt from the continuous flow of prayers that come together and become a living loving life form with open arms offering comfort. It is also called Our Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother which is another reason I'm drawn to it. My mother who wasn't Catholic either passed away when I was 19,and before she passed she told me if I ever wanted to talk to her that I should go to the Grotto. That was in 1979. As a matter of fact we visited just the other day. If you need a little solitude in your...

This is a safe sacred space to walk with the saints. I came to walk the stations of the cross, which are tastefully displayed on a forest path with room to stop and contemplate for a while. The bass relief carving are tastefully done and deeply inspiring. I...

Went for the festival of lights... amazing! Thank you to all who put this on and keep people safe while we visit. "Parking lot crew" Jesus is the reason...