Inspiration

From Father Jack Lombardi, Grotto Chaplain

Come, refresh yourself, for the Grotto is a place of peace.

The Grotto is away from the world, isolated from strip malls and market places, off the beaten path, in the woods, “half in the sky” as Mother Seton described it in 1809. The Lord Himself counseled us to go away to deserted places to pray (Mk. 6:31).

Frequently people say, “When I enter the Grotto I feel peace.” That’s our mission—to enable people to seek and sense Peace—God’s Paradise, His mystical Presence, His love. “Grotto” is from the old French word meaning “hidden.” Sometimes we just need to hide ourselves away to find and discover God in different ways. Often I see people meandering, slowly walking, sitting, praying, adoring—all because the sacred environment allows them peaceful repose of the soul. Recently, I saw a usually busy priest from Ireland sitting at the Grotto Cave praying the Rosary. So simple: equanimity in Jesus and Mary. The natural beauty, the spiritual monuments, the burning candles, the peaceful people, the rich spiritual history all create a climate of equipoise, inviting and allowing the spirit of the soul to drink in God’s mercy and Mary’s love.

By the way, this busy, sometimes harried chaplain, need remember this to stop, pray, sit and taste God’s goodness here in this supernaturally wooded Grotto. Priests need peace, too!

For more from Father Jack, click here (courtesy of Emmitsburg.net)