The Grotto - Portland, Oregon

(Photo provided)

Destination: Known informally as The Grotto, the proper name of this spot is The National Santuary of Our Sorrowful Mother. Located minutes from downtown Portland, the 62-acre site is both shrine and botanical gardens dedicated to Mary. It is administered by the Order of Friars Servants of Mary, USA Province.
Masses are at 10 a.m. (weekly) and noon (May-October, in the Grotto Plaza weather permitting) Sunday; noon weekdays; 8 a.m. Saturday.
Why to go: The informal title derives from a grotto in a cliff wall that holds a white marble copy of Michelangelo’s Pieta. But there are also a number of gardens that feature hundreds of statues, shrines and religious art.
Its acreage includes manicured gardens and paths that provide year-round access to the plaza and upper levels. The plaza level showcases native northwest plants, and the Chapel of Mary. Upper-level gardens, 110 feet above the lower level, sit atop the north face of Rocky Butte.
The shrine is the work of Father Ambrose Mayer, who, as a boy, promised a great undertaking for the Church if God would spare his mother and the baby girl she delivered in a difficult labor. He joined the Servite Order, for whom, in 1918, he was sent to the Archdiocese of Portland. In 1923, when all he had was $3,000, he used the money as a downpayment on a $48,000 site owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Pope Pius XI, in his own handwriting, gave a boost to Father Mayer’s efforts when he offered 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.”
The first Mass, offered May 29, 1924, for the shrine’s dedication, drew 3,000 people.
Special events: The shrine just closed its Advent Festival of Lights. It will also host International Freedom Sunday events on July 4, highlighting the traditions and contributions of the Portland area’s Polish, Croatian, Russian, Korean, Filipino, Hispanic, Eritrean, Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese cultures.
Amenities: A Welcome Center and Gift Shop is open Monday—Sunday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas).
Access: Because of the multi-level terrain, some parts of the shrine might be challenging. The lower level, however, should be accessible to most.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Outdoor sites are always open to younger visitors.
Info: Address: The Grotto, P.O. Box 20008, Portland, OR 97294-0008 Phone: 503/254-7371. Web: www.thegrotto.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Shrine of Christ’s Passion - St. John, Indiana

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Destination: The Shrine of Christ’s Passion near St. John, Ind., is actually home to three shrines: the namesake shrine, the Marian Wayside Shrine and Sanctity of Life Shrine. It is south of U.S. Rt. 30 and not too far east of the Illinois-Indiana stateline.
Mass is not offered at the site, but St. John the Evangelist Church (11301 West 93rd Ave.) in nearby St. John offers  Masses at 6 p.m., Saturday; 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., Sunday; 6:30 p.m., Tuesday; 8:30 a.m., Wednesday-Friday.
Why to go: The main shrine features 40 life-size bronze statues along a half-mile winding path. In addition to the traditional stations, the route has recently added stops for the Last Supper and Jesus’ night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Visitors who watch Chicago television or A&E on cable will recognize the voice of Chicago broadcaster Bill Kurtis, who narrates a recorded story of Christ’s passion at each station.
The lighted path is open year-round, weather permitting. More than 1,000 trees and shrubs, as well as boulders  from Wisconsin, are artfully arranged on the site.
The Marian Wayside Shrine features a larger-than-life statue of Mary.
The  Sanctity of Life Shrine is dedicated to the lives lost through abortion.  A bronze statue of a kneeling Jesus holds the remains of a tiny, aborted baby in his hands.
Amenities: A visitor’s center and religious store are open the same hours as the shrine: Friday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Access: The shrine is handicap-accessible and there is a shelter about halfway into the path. The first 2/3 is on level ground, then, after crossing a bridge, there is an uphill grade with a downhill grade on the return. There are carts available by appointment; check with the visitor’s center.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Because the shrine’s sites are outdoors, it’s a great place to walk through with kids.
Info: Address: Shrine of Christ’s Passion: 10630 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373 Phone: 219/365-6010. Web: www.shrineofchristspassion.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe - Orlando, Florida

(Photo courtesy Florida Catholic files)

Destination: Near the resorts and tourist stops in the Orlando and Tampa, Fla., area, the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe provides a quiet alternative to the bustle that accompanies many family vacations. On June 3, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments granted the shrine the title of Minor Basilica.
Mass is offered at 8 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. on weekdays; 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays; 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m., and 6 p.m. on Sundays and holy days.
Why to go: The shrine developed over the years when the Diocese of Orlando realized it needed a way to minister to the many Catholic visitors to its area. From 1979, Masses were offered in area hotels. But on Dec. 8, 1984, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the diocese broke ground for what would become the shrine.
According to its Web site: “The Shrine’s defining representation (is) of  Mary, Queen of the Universe. A project long delayed as the sculptor, Jill Burkee combed the great quarries of Carrara, Italy, for a block of rare, pure white marble, the completed 8-foot work stands on a marble base and encloses the names of some 3,300 Shrine Associates.”
The shrine is also home to a museum of art, textiles and a relic of St. Desiderius. It is free and open to the public at 10 a.m. daily. Through Nov. 29, it features, “Orientale Lumen,” works of master iconographer Elias Damianakis.
An Outdoor Chapel features a bronze sculpture of the Mother and Child, created by renowned artist Jerzy Kenar. It can be reached along landscaped pathways designed to offer tourists places for quiet relflection and mediation.
The shrine’s Pilgrimage Center tells the history of the Christian Pilgrimage and the place of the Catholic Church in world history. One exhibit also features a tribute to the “Pilgrim Pope,” John Paul II.
Amenities: There is a gift shop on the grounds.
Access: The shrine is generally accessible on one level.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are always welcome at the shrine.
Info: Address: National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, 8300 Vineland Ave., Orlando, FL 32821. Phone: 407/239-6600. Web: http://maryqueenoftheuniverse.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Destination: Located across from the Luxor Hotel and next to the Tropicana in the heart of Las Vegas, Nev., the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer represents quiet respite from the bustling city.
Mass is offered Saturdays at 4 p.m.; Sundays at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon; weekdays 11:30 a.m.
Why to go: In addition to being the largest Catholic church in Nevada — it seats more than 2,000 — the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer is also home to Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel.
This chapel was commissioned by the former Bishop of the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas, Most Rev. Daniel F. Walsh, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the evangelization of the Americas. The chapel is a gift of the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.
The altar, lectern, sanctuary lamp, crucifix, and tabernacle are original contemporary works in bronze.
The chapel has three major works of art: an oil painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe which originated in Mexico in the late 17th century; a 4-foot, hand carved statue of St. Joseph and the child Jesus that is approximately 200 years old; and a contemporary mural depicting all of the people of Canada, United States, Mexico, Central and South America who played a significant role in the evangelization of the Americas.
Outside the shrine, there is a statue grouping, “Christ with the Children” (left) and, at the entrance, a bronze statue of Christ (above).
On the inside walls, there is striking three-
dimensional art depicting the annunciation, nativity and baptism of the Lord, as well as the wedding at Cana, washing of feet, and the crucifixion.
Amenities: There is a gift shop that is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m, Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Access: The church is fairly easy to find, and walking distance from several Las Vegas tourist sites.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are certainly welcome at the shrine.
Info: Address: Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer, 55 E. Reno Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119. Phone: 702/891-8600. Web: www.lasvegas-diocese.org/parishes_shrine_holy.html

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Emmitsburg, Maryland

(CNS file photo by Nancy Wiechec)

Destination: The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is located in Emmitsburg, Md., a small town in the foothills of the Catoctin Mountain, part of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain.
Mass is offered Wednesday through Friday at 1:30 p.m.;  Saturday, 9 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Why to go: Emmitsburg was the home of Mother Seton from 1809 until her death in 1821.
In the northern bay of the basilica, beneath the altar, are her relics, enclosed in marble in a small copper casket. A white marble statue shows her in the habit that she and her Sisters of Charity wore in 1809.
In addition to the basilica, the site includes the Stone House (circa 1750), which was the first permanent home of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and the site at which she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s on July 31, 1809. In 1979, the house was moved from its original site to its present location.
The White House, built during the winter of 1809-1810 when Mother Seton needed an expanded home, is also at the site. She called it St. Joseph’s House.
Special events: On Oct. 4, the Annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services will be held at the shrine. A 3 p.m. Mass in the Basilica will honor those who serve in the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. The Naval Academy Catholic Midshipmen Choir from Annapolis will sing for the Mass.
Amenities: There is a gift shop that is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There is also a snack room and an outdoor picnic area.
Access: The shrine sites are open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. On Mondays, only the basilica is open. Check the Web site for holiday hours.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are welcome at the shrine, but check the Visitor Information Guidelines on the Web site for dos and don’ts.
Info: Address: The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 333 South Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727-9297. Phone: 301/447-6606. Web: www.setonshrine.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church - Laurie, Missouri

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Destination: The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church is midway between I-70 (at Boonville) and I-44 (at Lebanon) on Missouri Rte. 5 near Laurie, Mo. It is in the heart of the Lake of the Ozarks vacation area.
Daily Mass is at 9 a.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; Saturday Masses are at 5 p.m. (inside) and 8 p.m. (outside); Sunday, at 8 a.m. (outside) and 10 a.m. (inside). Fall and winter Masses are at 5 p.m Saturday.
Why to go: Commonly known as the Mother’s Shrine, it features a 14-foot, stainless-steel sculpture, standing in a natural amphitheater and overlooking a waterfall that flows into a reflecting pool with fountains. It is surrounded by the shrine’s Mothers’ Wall.
Father Fred J. Barnett began construction on the shrine in the mid-1980s to honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and to handle the overflow summer crowds at Masses. It was dedicated in 1988 as Mary, Mother of the Church.
The sculpture of Mary, set in 1992, was created by Don Weigand, Chesterfield, Mo., and commissioned by John Fabick and the Fabick Charitable Trust.
The Mothers’ Wall holds names engraved in polished black granite. Among the names already listed on the wall are the mothers of Pope John Paul II and the late Jane Wyman. The first name was engraved on the Mothers’ Wall on April 1, 1999, and more are being added.
Amenities: There is a gift shop that offers memorabilia from the shrine and the nearby St. Patrick churches (there are three in the vicinity.)
Access: The rolling landscape features plenty of paved walkways, but they are dotted with frequent steps. Most are two or three steps high.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s an outdoor shrine that can provide kids with plenty of stretching space.
Info: Address: National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, P.O. Box 1250, Laurie, Mo. 65038. Phone: 573/374-6279. Web: www.mothersshrine.com

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Basilica of St. Francis Xavier - Dyersville, Iowa

(Photo: www.shrineofstbernadette.com)

Destination: The Basilica of St. Francis Xavier is in downtown Dyersville, Iowa. If you plan to chase grounders at the “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, make sure to drive downtown to see the church under the spires. Dyersville is about 26 miles west of Dubuque on U.S. Route 20.
Masses at the parish are 4 p.m., Saturday; 7, 8:30, 10:30 a.m. in English and noon in Latin on Sunday; 6:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, and 8:30 a.m., Friday.
There are weddings at 1:30 p.m. every Saturday in July, so you might plan your visit around them.
Why to go: Built in 1888, the basilica is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, which was repainted and refreshed in 2000-2001. New 24 carat gold and silver leaf was applied, giving the church its like-new gleam and shine.
In the back are two confessionals, carved of butternut wood. They were built by the Dubuque Altar Company and installed in 1897.
At the sides of the main altar are two of the basilica’s 64 stained glass windows. They depict the adoration of the magi and the resurrection.
In the cross at the end of the restored center aisle are five marble pieces — symbols of the five wounds of Christ — and made from marble that was on the floor of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  Under the center piece is also a chip from the Grotto at Lourdes, France.
Before you go, check out the basilica Web site for an electronic brochure to guide you on your self-tour.
Access: The front steps could be a bit of an obstacle for some, but once inside the church has a wide center aisle to allow fairly easy movement for anyone.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As with any parish, children are welcome.
Info: Address: Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, 104 Third St. SW, Dyersville, IA 52040. Phone: (rectory office) 563/875-7325. Web: www.xavierbasilica.com

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org