Santa Rita de Cascia

(Saint Rita of Cascia)

📍 Address: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 708 Bishop Olano Drive, Sånta Rita-Sumai, Guam 96915

ABOUT SANTA RITA DE CASCIA

Dates: May 24, 2026

Location: Sånta Rita-Sumai

Time: 9:00 AM

The Patroness of Impossible Causes: The Fiesta of Sånta Rita

In the southern hills of Guam, the village of Sånta Rita-Sumai gathers to honor its namesake, Saint Rita of Cascia. Known universally as the patroness of impossible causes, difficult marriages, and widows, Santa Rita's feast day is a deeply spiritual celebration for the community. Because the main events take place in the morning, this fiesta offers a bright, welcoming start to the day, filled with the scent of blessed roses and the warmth of a village that literally rebuilt itself from the ground up.

For visitors, attending this morning fiesta provides a beautiful look into the resilience and faith of the Chamorro people. It is a deeply joyful gathering that perfectly showcases the hospitality of Guam's southern communities.

THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE AND THE SAINT

The story of Sånta Rita-Sumai is one of displacement and rebirth. Before World War II, the thriving coastal village of Sumay on the Orote Peninsula was considered the "Pearl of Guam." During the war, the village was heavily bombed, and its residents were evicted by occupying forces. After the island's liberation, the U.S. military repurposed the Orote Peninsula to build Naval Base Guam. The displaced people of Sumay were relocated to the rugged foothills of Mount Alifan, where they established the new village of Santa Rita.

The new village adopted Santa Rita as its namesake—a fitting patroness given her association with enduring hardship, grief, and seemingly impossible odds. However, the community never forgot its roots; they brought their original patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe, with them to the new settlement (which is why the village church bears her name). Today, the village honors both its pre-war legacy and its post-war survival.

FIESTA TRADITIONS: ROSES AND RENEWAL

The morning celebration of Santa Rita brings a unique set of traditions that differ from the typical late-afternoon village fiestas.

The Blessing of the Roses

A hallmark of Saint Rita's devotion is the rose. According to Catholic tradition, a rose miraculously bloomed in the dead of winter at Rita's request near the end of her life. During the fiesta Mass, it is customary for the church to bless hundreds of red roses, which are then distributed to the congregation. The sight of devotees processing around the church grounds holding bright red roses is the defining, colorful image of this celebration.

The Morning "Gupot" (Party)

Since the main Mass and procession happen at 9:00 AM, the village fiesta leans into a spectacular brunch and early afternoon feast.

• The Spread: You will find an incredible mix of breakfast staples and traditional fiesta heavyweights. Expect Eskabeche (fish cooked with vegetables and vinegar) and Kadon Pika (spicy chicken stew), right alongside Chamorro morning favorites like Chorizo Spanish Rolls and fried rice.

• Enduring Bonds: The atmosphere in Sånta Rita-Sumai is incredibly tight-knit. The fiesta serves as a grand reunion for the descendants of Sumay, filled with storytelling, local music, and a shared pride in how their families persevered through impossible circumstances—just like their patron saint.