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Mark your calendars for December 8th, because Santa Marian Kamalen Day is just around the corner! This day, also known as Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is a major holiday in Guam and celebrates the patron saint of the island. Legend has it that a statue of Santa Marian Kamalen was found on the shores of Guam by two brothers who were out fishing. Since then, she has been revered as a symbol of hope and protection for the people of Guam. This holiday is marked with colorful processions, food festivals, and religious ceremonies that showcase the rich culture and traditions of this beautiful island. Let's join in on the festivities and honor Santa Marian Kamalen on this special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1565</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Statue Discovery</div><div class='timeline-text'>According to a legend, the original wooden statue of Santa Marian Kamalen was found by two fishermen on the shores of Merizo, Guam.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Procession</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first procession in honor of Santa Marian Kamalen was held, a tradition that remains a major part of the celebration today.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1825</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Statue Restoration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The statue of Santa Marian Kamalen was restored due to severe damage from termite infestation and exposure to the elements.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1945</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Post-War Resurgence</div><div class='timeline-text'>Despite the destruction caused by World War II, the residents managed to re-establish the ceremonial procession of Santa Marian Kamalen.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition of Cultural Significance</div><div class='timeline-text'>Santa Marian Kamalen Day was recognized for its cultural importance and named an official holiday in Guam.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a traditional mass</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate the feast day of Santa Marian Kamalen by attending a traditional mass at your local church. This is a great way to honor the patron saint of Guam and participate in the religious aspect of the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Join a cultural parade</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many cities in Guam hold cultural parades on Santa Marian Kamalen Day, featuring traditional dances, costumes, and music. Join in on the festivities and experience the rich culture of Guam.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Prepare and share a Chamorro feast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your family and friends to prepare and share a traditional Chamorro feast in honor of Santa Marian Kamalen. This is a great way to bond with loved ones and enjoy delicious Chamorro cuisine.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit the Santa Marian Kamalen statue</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to the Santa Marian Kamalen statue in Hagatna, Guam to pay your respects and offer prayers. This is a popular pilgrimage site on the feast day of Santa Marian Kamalen.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Participate in traditional games</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and family to participate in traditional Chamorro games, such as coconut husking or throwing a sling stone. This is a fun way to honor and celebrate the culture of Guam on Santa Marian Kamalen Day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates a beloved figure in Guamanian culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Santa Marian Kamalen, also known as Our Lady of Camarin, is an important figure in the Catholic faith and holds a special place in Guamanian culture. This holiday gives people the opportunity to honor and show devotion to her through religious celebrations and traditions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings the community together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Santa Marian Kamalen Day is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate their shared faith and culture. It's a chance for people to reconnect with one another and strengthen their bonds by participating in events and activities throughout the day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes cultural preservation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>As modern influences continue to shape society, it's important that traditions and customs are not lost. Santa Marian Kamalen Day helps to keep Guam's rich cultural heritage alive by celebrating its unique traditions, language, food and music.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Procession of Santa Marian Kamalen is a unique tradition on this day</h3><p class='facts-content'>The grand procession in the streets of Guam with her statue on a Karosa (carriage) drawn by Chamorro men through a thick rope is a unique sight observed only on Santa Marian Kamalen Day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Statue has survived calamities</h3><p class='facts-content'>Santa Marian Kamalen's wooden statue has endured calamities like earthquakes and World War II bombings, much like the resilience of the people of Guam.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Taotao Tasi" Dance pays homage to the statue</h3><p class='facts-content'>The traditional "Taotao Tasi" (people of the sea) dance performed on this day is a distinctive Chamorro water ceremony conducted to offer respect and honor to the statue and the sea.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The feast coincides with a major Christian feast</h3><p class='facts-content'>Santa Marian Kamalen Day coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a significant feast day in Christianity celebrated worldwide, making the day doubly significant.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Role in the promotion of Chamorro culture</h3><p class='facts-content'>This cultural event plays a crucial role in fostering awareness about Chamorro culture lack of which has led to the inclusion of Chamorro language and practices in the endangerment list of UN's cultural heritage databases.</p></div></div>
Santa Marian Kamalen Day is celebrated on December 8th every year. In 2024, Santa Marian Kamalen Day will fall on a Sunday.
2023
Dec 8
Friday
2024
Dec 8
Sunday
2025
Dec 8
Monday
2026
Dec 8
Tuesday
2027
Dec 8
Wednesday
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