The Grotto in Portland, Oregon
The Grotto in Portland, Oregon reminds me of the occasional pilgrimages my family made to the shrine of our Lady of Manaoag (pronounced as manna-wag) in Pangasinan in the olden times when I was still making the signs of the cross and praying lots of Hail Mary’s. The most I could remember of those pilgrimages had always been the unwilling participant that I was and still am. I hated waking up early in the morning and being herded south to the next province on a bus that filled itself up to the rooftop with produce and livestock. When we got to Manaoag, we behaved by aping the adults: kneeling, standing and pretending to recite the same prayers over and over again. After the all the candles are lit, more novena prayers were recited: for the souls of some dear departed hanging out in purgatory; for good health and eternal life; or for miracles and divine interventions such as winning the lottery, big time! ...