Our Lady’s Grotto
Located at: 1805 W St Joseph St, Perryville, MO 63775
(Select the address for a map and directions to the Our Lady’s Grotto)
Work on the grotto started at Saint Mary’s of the Barrens on June 15, 1917, on the feast of the Sacred Heart. The first stone was put into place on June 25, 1917, and the statue of Our Lady arrived on August 5, 1920. When construction began, America was engaged in World War I in Europe. The Pope was Benedict XV, and Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States.
Priests, brothers, and seminarians of Saint Mary’s, helped by local laborers, worked three years to complete the grotto project. Each stone moved by hand into place and then set with the care and craftsmanship of caring workers.
The grotto stands at the site of the old quarry behind the Mound of Our Lady of Victory. Rock used to build historic Saint Mary’s of the Barrens Church came from this site. When the last stone was set into place, Archbishop Glennon dedicated the grotto on November 11, 1920.
St. Francis' Canticle of the Sun
O most High, almighty, good Lord God, to You belong praise, glory, honor, and all blessing!
Praised be my Lord God with all creatures; and especially our brother the sun,
which brings us the day, and the light; fair is he, and shining with a very great splendor:
O Lord, he signifies You to us!
Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon, and for the stars, which God has set clear and lovely in heaven.
Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind, and for air and cloud, calms and all weather, by which You uphold in life all creatures.
Praised be my Lord for our sister water, which is very serviceable to us, and humble, and precious, and clean.
Praised be my Lord for our mother the Earth, which sustains us and keeps us, and yields diverse fruits, and flowers of many colors, and grass.
Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon one another for God’s love’s sake, and who endure weakness and tribulation; blessed are they who peaceably shall endure, for You, O most High, shall give them a crown!
Praise You, and Bless You the Lord, and give thanks to God, and serve God with great humility.
(St. Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)
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