Easter worshippers fill The Grotto, ‘as beautiful as it’s ever been’ in NE Portland

The Grotto Catholic sanctuary in Northeast Portland was filled with visitors on Easter Sunday, with scarcely any evidence of the damage wrought less than three months ago by an ice storm, followed by a break-in at the monastery in February.

As the morning sunlight filtered through the trees in the sanctuary’s garden, individuals and families snapped photos or spent a quiet moment in prayer or reflection after attending Mass.

Chris Blanchard, executive director of the organization, said that almost all of the repairs and cleanup are complete, save for a single section of concrete pathway in the upper garden that is still in need of replacement.

All three church services over the weekend — Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday and three Masses on Sunday — were “packed to the gills,” Blanchard said.

“We’re completely open to the public,” Blanchard said. “It’s as beautiful as it’s ever been.”

Addressing hundreds of people gathered at the Chapel of Mary at The Grotto on Sunday, the Rev. Edgar Benedi-an focused his homily on the importance of love in religious faith and the bond between Jesus and Mary.

Benedi-an’s remarks were a nod to the Catholics who gathered hours earlier near dawn, at The Grotto’s plaza, to reenact the meeting of Jesus, risen from the dead, and his sorrowful mother. The Easter tradition known as salubong, or encuentro, is celebrated by Filipinos around the world.

“May this event of the Resurrection renew and strengthen our faith again,” Benedi-an said.

Jennifer Marquez attended the packed 10 a.m. Easter Mass and said she enjoyed Benedi-an’s remarks. “The priest is really good,” Marquez said, noting that he made the homily relatable.

Mary Bruce, a member of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary, delivered two of the readings during the Mass, including the apostle John’s account of the Resurrection. Bruce said that participating in the Mass was a wonderful moment for her, after a recent illness. As she prayed the Rosary before the Mass, “I was so joyful.”

The Grotto started to gradually reopen in late January, after the ice storm toppled fir trees and caused other damage that forced it to briefly close. Formally known as the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, it has 62 acres of gardens with hundreds of statues, as well as the chapel and a gift shop. In February, an intruder shattered multiple windows, toppled a tabernacle and snapped crucifixes at the monastery on the grounds. Police arrested a suspect in the case, and no one was injured.

Hillary Borrud is an investigative reporter. Reach her at 503-294-4034, hborrud@oregonian.com or @hborrud.

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