December for the Catholic faith is a busy month on Guam.
Santa Marian Kamalen, or Our Lady of Camarin, is the patron saint of Guam. December 8th is the Feast of Immaculate Conception. Catholics on Guam have a fiesta (feast) in her honor. She is an icon to the Catholic locals.
They say the nobena (rosary). The prayers are led by a tech (prayer leader).
They also say the Nobenan Niñu in honor for the birth of Jesus Christ.
These are two of the prayers said during the nobena.
Si Yu’os un Gineggue’ – Hail Mary
Si Yu’os un gineggue’ Maria, bula hao gråsia, si Yu’os gaige giya hågu.
*Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.
Matuna hao entre todu i famalao’an, ya matuna i finañågu-mu as Jesus.
*Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb, Jesus.
Sånta Maria, Nånan Yu’os, tayuyute ham ni manisao,
på’go yan i oran i finatai-måmi. Åmen.
*Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death. Amen..
Tatan-måmi – Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
Tatan-måmi, na gaige hao gi langet, umatuna i na’ån-mu;
*Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name;
Umamaila’ i gobietno-mu, umafa’tinas i pinto-mu,
*Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
asi gi tano’ kumu gi Langet.
*on earth as it is in Heaven.
Nå’i ham på’go nu i kada ha’åni na ågon-måmi,
*Give us this day our daily bread,
ya un asi’e’ ham nu i diben-måmi,
*and forgive us our trespasses,
tai guihi in asisi’e’ i dumidibe ham siha;
*as we forgive those who trespass against us;
ya cha’-mu ham pumo’po’lu
*and lead us not
na in fambasnak gi tentasion,
*into temptation,
lao na’fanlibre ham gi tailaye. Åmen.
*but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Being part of these celebrations is how the culture embraces the value of Inafa’maolek.
