On the evening of December 7, 2002, Guam was visited by Super Typhoon Pongsona.  The United States of America Department of Commerce, Service Assessment Team documented that Super Typhoon Pongsona was one of the worst typhoons to have ever struck the island of Guam.  It was reported as Guam’s third most intense storm, with sustained winds of 144 miles per hour (mph), and gusts over 180 mph.  Other super typhoons that rivaled Pongsona’s intensity were that of the Super Typhoons Karen in 1962, Pamela in 1976, and Paka in 1997.

On December 8, 2002 Monsignor James L.G. Benavente, Rector of the Agana Cathedral-Basilica, made an unprecedented, but crucial decision to act on behalf of the safety of Our Lady of Camarin.  Santa Marian Kamalen was immediately removed form her niche, in the nave of the Agana Cathedral-Basilica, and taken to a more secured location.  At that point, the church had started to take on severe damage, as even the most secured windows held powerless against the ravages of the storm’s fury.  Despite the raging wind and relentless rain against him, Monsignor Benavente was able to battle the elements and bring Santa Marian Kamalen into safety, up to the Pastoral Center’s second floor. 

It was there, in the solitude of the Pastoral Center, that two candles stood vigil while the Holy Rosary was prayed to Santa Marian Kamalen—interceding, once again, for the protection of Guam and her people.  Those moments of prayer seemed to last for what seemed an eternity.  But in those solemn moments of profound faith, one couldn’t help but feel that our Holy Mother was there with us, listening to the prayers of her people and asking for the grace of God, the Father.

In the height of the super typhoon, the Cathedral-Basilica suffered major damage, some of which included broken doors, numerous shattered windows, excessive flooding and heavy water damage.  During the clean-up of the Cathedral-Basilica, Santa Marian Kamalen was under the close watch of the Cathedral-Basilica’s personnel and the Knights of the Altar.  They included Evan Borlas, Jon Junior Calvo, Joseph Iseke, Richard Kidd, Mark Mesngon, Matthew Pangelinan, Joshua Perez, and John Joseph Rivera.  For three days, these gentlemen stood vigilant, in rotating shifts, to ensure her safety, until she was returned to her rightful place in the Cathedral-Basilica.

This was the year that Santa Marian Kamalen did not walk the streets in procession of the Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion, though she was in constant solidarity with her people who suffered.  For the first time in Guam’s history, the mass and procession were cancelled because of the massive devastation brought about by Pongsona.  However, as soon as conditions permitted—even without power, water, and some with no homes—people still came to the Cathedral-Basilica in thanksgiving to God for the true gift received, the gift of life.   

With the steadfast spirit of Guam’s faith and the resilience of the people on January 1, 2003, the Feast of Mary the Mother of God, with permission from His Excellency Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, the statue of Santa Marian Kamalen was permitted to once again adorn the sanctuary of the Cathedral-Basilica. In joyful celebration, Santa Marian Kamalen was presented to the people for personal veneration after all morning Masses. In known history, this was the only time that she was brought down from her niche outside her normal appearance to the public on December 8.