Hope Monument

In 1999 artist Beverly Paddleford of Lander, WY, was asked to do a sculpture of Jesus with the theme of hope and healing. It was to invite viewers into a moment of personal reflection about all
things connected with the sanctity of human life, particularly life lost before birth. Named "The Hope Monument", this bronze sculpture is a life-size portrayal of Jesus sitting next to a young woman,
her hands in His, and her baby in Jesus' lap.

Celebrating the preciousness and sanctity of all human life, it speaks to the healing hope which Christ's compassion, tender gaze and touch engender for all who have lost children of any age, for any reason.  It also speaks quite vividly of both the need and privilege it is to properly care for children once they are born.

The child is not only in Jesus' care, but He evidently desires a relationship with the mother as well, regardless of the circumstances. What came as a surprise with this sculpture is that it not only ministers to women but also to men.

Men too are seen coming alone to one of the 14 Hope Gardens around the United States. There is also a Hope Monument in Timisoara, Romania, and soon to be another in Toronto, Canada. Entire families of all faiths are being touched by the realization that the "lost" child is in fact safe in the arms of the Lord.

What began as a post-abortion healing sculpture has become so much more. It turns out that it also ministers to those parents, grandparents, friends, God parents, older brothers and sisters, who have lost a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth, illness or accident. Even infertile couples and those who have given a child up for adoption are finding peace in Hope.

The Grotto grounds are opened each day from 6:30 AM until 10:30 PM.