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Guam - Today hundreds of devote members of the Catholic community gathered in the streets around the Dulce Nombre De Maria Cathedral Basilica to participate in the annual procession in honor of the island's patron saint, Santa Marian Kamalen.


Santa Marian Kamalen is the oldest religious icon on Guam, as Archdiocese of Guam chancellor Father Adrian Cristobal explained, saying, "Today its significant because we have this image of Santa Marian Kamalen and she represents a very important icon of the Virgin Mary and she has been here with the people for hundreds of years and the people, the Chamorro people, the Catholics of Guam, have always looked upon the Virgin Mary for comfort for intercession and also for her maternal help."


According to Fr. Adrian, December 8 is in honor of the solemnity of the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and here on Guam there is a strong devotion that has been around for hundreds of years.


Celebrating today is Knight of Columbus Sir Anthony Quenga, who said, "All the saint that adore us protect us on this island it is very important that we come every year and pray and keep our faith and reunite and reignite our faith every years and to truly keep Kamelan Caridad always in our heart."


And for other members of the Catholic community like Lily Perez, it was an honored tradition. "The significance of the day is this is like her feast day and we come as children of the blessed mother and we honor her that way it's a way of showing that we respect her and also appreciate all the help that she has given us," she said. Perez says that many people look to Mary in times of tragedy and destruction so that she may intercede and carry prayer to God.


Member of the Catholic community from around the island have gathered to celebrate and participate in the procession, proving that this is by far the most reverent religious holiday celebrated here on island.