GUAM DEVOTION CONTINUES IN THE U.S. MAINLAND

Pale' Eric at Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA

Our Lady of Camarin, Guam's beloved patroness, is so much a part of our Chamorro heritage that Chamorros from Guam who live in the U.S. mainland continue to observe this devotion, usually associated with the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

At Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, where patients from Guam seek medical care, an annual Mass on the first Saturday of December continues this tradition.  Capuchin Pale' Eric Forbes has been celebrant and homilist at this Mass for several years in a row now.  Every year, no less than 100 Chamorros and spouses/friends of Chamorros attend.  Patients from Guam are visited in their rooms, as well.

Chamorro devotees of Our Lady of Camarin light candles in her honor at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Pale' Eric at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC

Over in our nation's capital, on the other side of the country, Chamorros in the DC area observe their own annual devotion to Our Lady of Camarin with a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

This past December 8th was the first time Pale' Eric was invited to participate.  Before Mass, he gave the congregation of about 80 people a half-hour talk on the history of this devotion.

The Chamorro community in the DC area, which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia.  Some traveled from even farther away to be at the Mass.