Celebrating Santa Marian Kamalen
 

by Tony Blaz - 
KUAM's Political Insider
December 10, 2004

Cultural traditions are often valuable lessons from the past that continue to inspire us and uplift us. The traditional celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception or Santa Marian Kamalen on December 8th offers a wonderful glimpse into the lessons of faith, love, devotion and humility of the Chamorro people.

The legendary Santa Marian Kamalen is a source of great inspiration to the Chamorro people because she symbolizes Maria, the mother of Christ, a woman of faith, love, devotion and humility for her son, our God and all of our people. Legend has it that the statue, Santa Marian Kamalen, arrived on our shores hundreds of years ago on a large crab amidst a sea of lighted candles. She appeared to a humble fisherman whom she instructed to dress in proper attire before he was allowed to take the statue. Instead of appearing first to the rich and famous, Santa Marian Kamalen chose a commoner, which is indicative of the devotion of her Son to the commoner, the poor and the lowly. Many stories of her miraculous feats on behalf of many of our elders continue to amaze many children even today.

But Santa Marian Kamalen represents our spiritual mother who has been with us protecting us from calamities, both natural and manmade, such as storms, famine, earthquakes, wars, and even actions of our leaders. She like her beloved Chamorro people is strong and resilient.

As legendary as Santa Marian Kamalen is, whom she represents and what she represents is very real to all of us as Christians. Chosen by God to be an instrument of divinity to bring Christ into the world, Santa Marian Kamalen accepted his request, demonstrating her great love and faith and devotion to God. As humans, the important role of "mother" of God is not lost upon us, because who better than the mother of God to ask to intercede on our behalf whenever we seek a favor from her Son. 

Love, faith, devotion, and humility: some of the reasons that thousands of our people converge in our capital city of Hagatna every year on December 8th to honor the patroness of our people and the Marianas Islands. These traditions represent a significant part of the kostumbren Chamorro and the virtues of love, faith, devotion and humility are virtues our people hold in great esteem. It is my fervent hope that these virtues will not be lost upon our leaders as they prepare to assume office next year. Using Santa Marian Kamalen's valuable lessons that she has left us as her legacy, I offer the following advice for our leaders: Love your people. Don't betray the faith they have bestowed on you. Be devoted to our people's best interest and above all if the mother of God can show great humility then all of you leaders should be able to do the same.

Biba Santa Marian Kamalen!!!!    

Tony Blaz hosts "Positively Local", a radio talkshow on Isla61-AM everyday from 6-10am