Outside of San Vicente Catholic Church on Thursday, head priest, Father Joel Delos Reyes led a crowd in prayer. The statue of Santa Marian Kamalen made its way to the Barrigada church for a pilgrimage as many faithful gathered, some waving handkerchiefs. 

Parishioner Mae Mendiola was there to pay homage to Santa Marian Kamalen and bid farewell to her as she left the village. 

“I pray for, honestly, I’m very thankful," she told KUAM News. "I know our island, our people are very thankful for persevering during the pandemic especially.”

Dec. 8 is a special day for Guam Catholics who honor the island's patron saint, Santa Marian Kamalen and commemorate me the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The pilgrimage across the island has been a stand-in for the annual procession in Hagatna since the start of the pandemic. 

It's also a time for healing for Mendiola who Mendiola lost her husband to COVID-19 two years ago. But, it's through this community and her faith that her connection to him remains strong.

“I’m thankful to God because he never left us, he never abandoned us," she said. "So I’m very thankful.”

Nearby, at Saint Dominic's Senior Care Home, one family gathered to see the patron saint of Guam. Twenty-year-old Heather Reyes was excited to receive her blessings.

“Feeling pretty good, feeling pretty good,” she said. “We came from Yigo. She kind of just passed us so we had to find our way to see her so we stopped by here.”

The Reyes family came down to Barrigada from Yigo to see the Lady of Camarin.

Heather’s mother, Michelle Reyes, sharing they nearly missed their chance to be a part of this glorious moment.

“We actually were trying to get to the Yigo church,” she said. “She actually came on time but we were caught in traffic. So as soon as she hit down there in the Harmon area, we were able to come here before she did.”

Celebrating the feast is a family tradition for the Reyes family. It comes as many of their loved ones are away on military duty this holiday season.

Prayers from 12-year-old Kyrie Reyes were made for her parents and brother all serving in the army.

“I prayed for my dad and mom and brother in the states and hopefully I get to see them sometime,” she said.

A prayer and message she's sending to them in Colorado.

“I hope you guys are doing good and I love and miss you guys so much.”

It's a love that thousands more across the island and Guamanians around the world shared this Santa Marian Kamalen day.