Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa

(Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal)

📍 Address: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Chapel, St. Anthony Catholic Church, 507 Chalan San Antonio, Tamuning, Guam 96913

ABOUT OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL

Dates: November 27, 2026

Location: Tamuning

Time: 6:00 PM

An Evening of Grace: The Fiesta of the Miraculous Medal

Within the bustling commercial heart of Guam, the village of Tamuning hosts a beautiful, intimate evening celebration honoring Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Held specifically at the chapel located on the grounds of St. Anthony Catholic Church, this late-November fiesta provides a profound spiritual pause right at the height of the island's busy holiday season.

For visitors, attending this event is a wonderful way to experience the localized faith of a highly urbanized village. Removed from the massive scale of the parish's primary summer fiestas, this celebration offers a deeply reflective and peaceful atmosphere, characterized by traditional devotion and classic island hospitality.

THE HISTORY OF THE DEVOTION AND CHAPEL

The devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal originates from the 1830 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Catherine Labouré in Paris, France. During these visions, Mary instructed Catherine to have a specific medal struck, promising that those who wore it with confidence would receive great graces.

On Guam, the history of this devotion is intimately tied to the post-World War II era. While many religious traditions on the island date back to the early Spanish colonial period, the Miraculous Medal found a special home among families resettling and rebuilding in the mid-20th century. In Tamuning—a village that exploded in growth during the post-war reconstruction—the establishment of the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Chapel provided a dedicated, smaller space for localized worship. Today, the chapel serves as a quiet sanctuary within Guam's busiest commercial district, honoring the enduring faith of the local families who continue to maintain the devotion.

FIESTA TRADITIONS: DEVOTION AND FELLOWSHIP

Because this fiesta takes place on an autumn evening in a highly urbanized area, the atmosphere beautifully blends reverence with modern community life.

The Evening Procession

At 6:00 PM, as the sun sets and the island transitions into the evening, the faithful gather for the procession. Devotees often carry or wear the Miraculous Medal, walking through the church grounds and nearby areas of Tamuning. The procession is a beautiful contrast to the surrounding commercial activity of Chalan San Antonio, offering a moment of public, peaceful prayer for the protection of families, the sick, and the island at large.

The Chapel "Gupot" (Party)

Following the spiritual honors, the community shares a meal that reflects Tamuning's incredible diversity.

• A Cosmopolitan Feast: As one of Guam's most culturally diverse villages, the fiesta table here is a fantastic melting pot. While traditional CHamoru favorites like Kelaguen, Red Rice, and Kadon Pika are always present, you will also frequently find a strong influence of Filipino cuisine, such as Pancit and Lumpia, highlighting the shared Catholic heritage of the parish.

• Intimate Hospitality: Since this is a chapel-specific celebration rather than the main parish fiesta, the "Gupot" is highly intimate and welcoming. It feels like a large neighborhood gathering, where regular parishioners, visitors, and devotees share their faith and stories, kicking off the island's festive winter season with warmth and grace.