[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1735-E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE METROPOLITAN ARCHDIOCESE OF AGANA ON THE HISTORIC 
        OCCASION OF THE ENSHRINEMENT OF ``OUR LADY OF CAMARIN''

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Archbishop 
Anthony Sablan Apuron and the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese 
of Agana on the occasion of the enshrinement of ``Our Lady of Camarin'' 
in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in 
Washington, DC. Our Lady of Camarin, ``Santa Marian Kamalen'' as she is 
known in the Chamorro language, is the Patroness of the Metropolitan 
Archdiocese of Agana and of the Mariana Islands. I also congratulate 
the Guam chapters of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas who have 
taken an active interest in the cause of enshrinement and who are well 
represented in Washington for the ceremony on September 17, 2006.
  The Santa Marian Kamalen is an important historic symbol of faith to 
the people of Guam and the Mariana Islands. The Santa Marian Kamalen 
statue, which arrived on Guam in the 17th century, was a significant 
part of the Spanish introduction of the Catholic faith on Guam and has 
been an enduring symbol of the growth of the Catholic Church in the 
Mariana Islands for the past three centuries. The Santa Marian Kamalen 
statue is representative of the resilience of the Chamorro people

[[Page E1736]]

who have turned to the Patroness in times of distress to receive her 
comfort. This religious symbol has survived fires, earthquakes, and 
typhoons and inspires the faithful who seek her intercession for 
protection from famine, earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis.
  During the occupation of Guam in World War II, believers turned to 
Santa Marian Kamalen for help and some risked their own safety by 
saving the statue from confiscation and destruction by the occupiers. 
Today, Santa Marian Kamalen continues to inspire the Catholic faithful 
on Guam and throughout the Marianas. She holds an exalted position 
above the altar in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in 
Hagatna, Guam. As the Patroness of Guam and the Mariana Islands, her 
feast day is celebrated each year on December 8th, the Feast of the 
Immaculate Conception, with a procession of thousands of the faithful 
in Hagatna.
  On Sunday, September 17, 2006, a replica of the Santa Marian Kamalen 
will be enshrined at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the 
Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Hundreds of followers from 
Guam, the Northern Marianas, and throughout the nation have converged 
in a pilgrimage to honor Our Lady of Camarin.
  The enshrinement of Santa Marian Kamalen is recognition by the Church 
of the deep faith of the Chamorro people and a distinct honor for the 
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana. The ceremony will celebrate the love 
of the devotees of the Patroness of the Mariana Islands.
  The enshrinement of Our Lady of Camarin would not have been possible 
without the tireless efforts of many people, most notably the Most 
Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., DD, the Metropolitan 
Archbishop of Agana, the clergy and religious on Guam and the Mariana 
Islands, officers of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in the 
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana, and all of the faithful. Biba Santa 
Marian Kamalen!

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