Immaculate Heart of Mary

📍 Address: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Toto, Guam

ABOUT THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY FIESTA

Dates: June 13, 2026

Location: Toto (Mongmong-Toto-Maite)

Time: 5:00 PM

Faith and Resilience in the Central Valleys: The Fiesta of Toto

Nestled in the central part of the island within the tri-village municipality of Mongmong-Toto-Maite, the village of Toto celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary every June. Known for its winding roads and proximity to the Hagåtña Swamp, Toto is a quiet, heavily residential community with a rich history of perseverance. The village name itself is rooted in ancient CHamoru lore; it is derived from the word "to'to," which means to lie down or recline on one's back, referencing the body of the legendary creation god Puntan.

For visitors, the Toto fiesta offers an intimate, authentic look into a community built by families who turned ranchlands into permanent homes. It is a humble and deeply welcoming celebration tucked just behind the bustling industrial and commercial centers of Route 8.

THE HISTORY OF TOTO

Before World War II, Toto was not primarily a residential village; instead, it was a lush area used by families from the capital of Hagåtña for small-scale farming and raising livestock. People would hike the jungle trails in the morning to work their ranches and return to the capital by evening.

This completely changed during and after the war. Following the heavy bombardment and the end of the Japanese occupation, many displaced families from Hagåtña permanently migrated to the Mongmong-Toto area. During the post-war reconstruction, the area also housed the Fifth Service Depot, a U.S. Marine supply outlet. The establishment of this depot pushed local residents further into the hilly, rugged, and swampy areas of the village, where they ultimately built their tight-knit residential community and erected the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish as their spiritual center.

FIESTA TRADITIONS: COMMUNITY AND DEVOTION

Because Toto is a heavily residential area, the fiesta transforms the village streets into a shared space of reverence and celebration.

The Procession

At 5:00 PM, as the heat of the day begins to break, the procession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary begins. Devotees carry the statue through the winding roads of the village. Because the homes in Toto are closely knit, the procession is highly interactive, with families setting up small shrines in their yards or simply stepping out onto their porches to cross themselves and join in the prayers as the procession passes.

The Village "Gupot" (Party)

Following the spiritual procession, the community gathers at the church grounds to celebrate.

• The Feast: The fiesta table here is a beautiful reflection of the island's central villages, heavily featuring beloved staples like Red Rice, Kelaguen, and an assortment of rich meats and stews.

• Village Hospitality: Toto's celebration feels like a massive neighborhood block party. Because many of the families here share deep roots dating back to the post-war resettlement, the event is filled with generations of relatives catching up, sharing stories, and welcoming guests with classic CHamoru warmth.