Santa Rosa de Lima

(Saint Rose of Lima)

📍 Address: Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 135A Pale Ferdinand Way, Hågat, Guam 96915

ABOUT SANTA ROSA DE LIMA

Dates: August 29, 2026 

Location: Hågat (Agat)

Time: 5:00 PM

The Original Patroness: The Fiesta of Santa Rosa

In the historic southern village of Hågat (Agat), the late summer brings a deeply meaningful celebration honoring Santa Rosa de Lima (Saint Rose of Lima). While the village is widely known today for its devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, this August fiesta pays tribute to the village's very first patroness. It is a celebration rooted in the absolute earliest days of the village's Spanish-era founding, offering a fascinating look at the enduring layers of CHamoru Catholic history.

For visitors, attending the Santa Rosa fiesta offers an incredible blend of southern hospitality and rich historical reverence. It provides a more intimate, reflective village gathering as the community honors a spiritual legacy that dates back over three centuries.

THE HISTORY OF THE SAINT IN HÅGAT

The connection between Hågat and Santa Rosa de Lima is an anchor of the village's origins. Old Agat was built by Spanish Governor Don Jose Quiroga and his successors between 1680 and 1684. The governor relocated CHamoru people from scattered settlements and the interior village of Fena into this centralized community. In 1681, the missionaries completed the very first church in Agat and dedicated it to Santa Rosa de Lima.

The devotion to this Peruvian saint was brought directly by Spanish colonial officials. Captain General Damián de Esplana had a lifelong dedication to Santa Rosa, the patroness of his native city. He even requested in his will that if he died in the Marianas, he be buried "in the church that the Jesuits have in the pueblo of Agat, in front of the altar of the Glorious Santa Rosa". Although the original church structures were lost to time and the heavy bombardments of World War II, the community's devotion to their first patroness survived, and she continues to be celebrated with her own dedicated fiesta.

FIESTA TRADITIONS: ENDURING HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Because this celebration honors the oldest spiritual roots of the village, it carries a profound sense of continuity.

The Commemorative Procession

The evening procession typically begins at 5:00 PM, winding through the streets of modern Hågat. Devotees carry the image of Santa Rosa—often depicted wearing a crown of roses—while praying for the village. Walking near the coast where the old village once stood, the procession serves as a physical reminder of the generations of CHamoru families who have kept this specific devotion alive since 1681.

The Village "Gupot" (Party)

Following the spiritual honors, the village partakes in a traditional feast that highlights Hågat's coastal and southern charm.

• A Southern Feast: Since Hågat is the western gateway to the south, the tables are abundant with local favorites. Expect fresh seafood from the nearby marina alongside classic CHamoru staples like Kelaguen, Red Rice, and Barbecue.

• Historical Pride: The atmosphere is filled with storytelling and pride. The "Gupot" offers an incredibly warm environment where elders share the deep, multi-layered history of their village, inviting guests to celebrate the survival and enduring faith of the Hågat community.