Why is the grotto important to the Catholic church?
Why is the grotto important to the Catholic church? These grottoes would normally be the location of a natural spring and were believed to have a unique connection to the divine. With the Christianization of the Roman Empire, most pagan temples that were built in grottoes were converted into Christian churches.
What is The Grotto known for?
The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, also known as The Grotto, is a sixty-two-acre Roman Catholic sanctuary dedicated to Mary, Mother of Jesus. Located in northeast Portland, The Grotto, which opened in 1924, attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually.
Was Jesus born in a grotto?
The holy site known as the Nativity Grotto is thought to be the cave in which Jesus was born. In 135, Emperor Hadrian had the site above the grotto converted into a worship place for Adonis, the mortal lover of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and desire.
Why do we light candles at the Grotto?
It is a long standing tradition in Catholic, as well as other religious traditions, to light a candle as a physical representation of one's prayers.