Monsignor James Leon Guerrero Benavente
Chaplain of His Holiness

From humble beginnings, Msgr. James Leon Guerrero Benavente was born to †Joaquin Borja Guerrero Benavente and Ester Lujan Leon Guerrero Benavente on May 6, 1963. He is the youngest of seven siblings and is preceded by his sisters †Joyce and Mary, and his brothers, John, Kin, Joseph and Peter, the eldest.

While growing up in his home village of Dededo, Msgr. James attended Santa Barbara Catholic School, Wettengel Elementary School, and Dededo Junior High School, which is now Dededo Middle School. He is credited for the establishment of the Dededo Drug Free Organization.  He then moved to the state of California, where he completed his middle school education and graduated from John H. Still Junior High School, in Sacramento.  Later he returned home and, in 1981, graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, in Tamuning.

At an early age, Msgr. James was an avid churchgoer. He devoted much of his time and energy to his home parish of Santa Barbara Catholic Church, in Dededo. His siblings note that he was always dedicated to the parish. Aside being an altar server, he also managed to assist with faith formation and other parochial programs. Since then, his family saw his inevitable future as a priest.

Msgr. James’ desire to go into the priesthood led him to enter St. Joseph’s College Seminary in Palo Alto, California, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities (Psychology) with a minor degree in Philosophy in 1990. As a diligent learner, Msgr. James furthered his education by attending St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California and received his Masters of Divinity degree in 1994.

As a seminarian on Guam, Msgr. James assisted his home parish of Santa Barbara Catholic Church in Dededo, as well as Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Tamuning, and the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatña. In the summer of 1992, he was also appointed by Archbishop Anthony Apuron as Pastoral Associate of Our Lady of Purification Catholic Church in Maina. 

As he studied at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, Msgr. James was assigned to three distinct parishes under the Archdiocese of San Francisco. They include: Saint Gabriel parish in Sunset District, 1990-1991; Saint Andrew’s Church in South San Francisco, 1991-1992; and again at Saint Gabriel parish in Sunset District, 1993-1994. Under the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1992 to 1993, he was also assigned to the Office of Communication and dealt with issues in management, finance and personnel in the Archdiocese of San Francisco Chancery Office.  On December 18, 1993, Msgr. James was ordained deacon for the Archdiocese of Agana at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.

After due preparation and extraordinary assignments as a seminarian and ordained deacon, Msgr. James was ordained into the priesthood on July 16, 1994, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, by Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D.  He is the 23rd native son of Guam to be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Agaña.

Since becoming a priest thirteen years ago, Msgr. James has gained many pastoral and secular experiences and responsibilities. Many people have sought his advice as friend, confidant, and spiritual director. Msgr. James is acknowledged for having a persona that has attracted young people, married couples, and the most treasured generation – our man’amko. 

The July 10, 1994 issue of the Pacific Voice stated that “After due preparation and an extraordinary assignment as Deacon-in-Charge of the Cathedral-Basilica in May of 1994, Deacon James Leon Guerrero Benavente will be ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Agana.” Immediately following his ordination in 1994, in an unprecedented appointment, Msgr. James was appointed as Rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, where he still serves in that capacity. In 1998, Msgr. James was responsible for the successful renovations and restorations in preserving the Cathedral-Basilica, one of Guam’s most historic and sentimental edifices. In addition to his fundamental role as the Rector, he continues to serve as a member of the Archdiocesan College of Consultors and Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council since being appointed in 1994. He also presently serves as Advocate in the Archdiocese of Agaña’s Tribunal Office since being appointed on October 7, 1996, and is the Vice Chairman of Archdiocesan Finance Council since 1999.

Amongst his many tasks, as the current Director of the Archdiocese of Agaña’s Catholic Cemeteries after being appointed in 1999, Msgr. James is acclaimed for the renovations and improvements made to Guam’s local Catholic Cemeteries, which include Pigo, Holy Cross, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Cemeteries. Msgr. James’ vision was made a realization through the construction of an indoor mausoleum, private family mausoleums, and more garden crypts to accommodate the needs of the Catholic community. Msgr. James is currently a member of the National Catholic Cemeteries Conference and is also an Archdiocesan Delegate of the same Conference.

In past roles and duties, Msgr. James has committed himself to the well-being of the local Church and community. He has served as an appointed member for the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission from February 2001 to 2005, appointed Chaplain from 1994 to 2000 for the Guam Legislature, appointed Spiritual Director for the Catholic Educational Radio Station from September 1995 to 1999, and Vocation Director from 1995 to June 2003.

In evidence to his commitment to the progress of the local Church and community, Msgr. James has accepted two appointments on June 13, 2005. He now serves as the Vice Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Agaña and Chaplain for Guam’s finest protectors, the Guam Police Department.

Some of the most highlighted events in Guam’s history have also been contributed to the leadership and direction of Msgr. James, one of which includes his chairmanship for the extraordinary visit of the Relics of Saint Therese in August of 2002. The visit to Guam showcased Guam’s participation in world-wide pilgrimages and devotion to the Saints with the universal Church. Even though that has passed, Msgr. James’ efforts continue as he completes a special assignment and responsibility for bringing an exact replica of Santa Marian Kamalen to the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. this September 2006.

As a native son to the island of Guam, Msgr. James is an avid speaker and promoter of the island’s unique Chamorro language and culture. One of his major contributions in promoting such a passion was the establishment of the local Church’s first museum on June 16, 1998, 330 years after Christianity was brought to Guam by Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores. Presently, Msgr. James is the Executive Chairman of the Board for the National Museum of the Archdiocese of Agaña. In this capacity, he has recently announced the construction of a new museum that will hold and feature various religious and local artifacts. As part of the construction effort, the museum will be conjoined with a chapel.  The chapel will serve as an additional worship space suitable enough to accommodate 250 individuals.  In addition, Msgr. James is credited for the establishment and the opening of the Cathedral-Basilica Gift Shop, the only Archdiocesan-owned gift shop in the Archdiocese. The gift shop is recognized for having an array of statues, religious books, devotional material, and other items that cater to the needs of the Catholic faith community.

With much ahead of Msgr. James, his recent conferral of honor as a Monsignor for the Archdiocese of Agaña has only encouraged him to do more for the Archdiocese and her people. As a Chaplain of His Holiness, Msgr. James aims to embody the spirit of Jesus Christ in a wholehearted fashion. As Monsignor, he will pursue the late Pope John Paul II’s call to continually live out his true priestly vocation--“to become more holy, more joyful, more impassioned in the exercise of our ministry.”

Inspired by God and in Christ’s invitation to “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17), Msgr. James continually commits himself to proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to those who will listen, responding to the pastoral needs of the local community, and opening the hearts and minds of those who have yet to experience the faith of Christ in their lives. He exemplifies that in our earthly trials and successes, all things are possible because of God and through the spirit of prayer.

-----------------------------

Jubilee Letter

1 September 2007

My Dear Parishioners, Families, Friends, and Supporters:

Earlier this year, Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron proclaimed a “Jubilee Year of Grace, Joy, and Gratitude” beginning April 20, 2007 through April 20, 2008, in commemoration of our 50-year pilgrimage as the Cathedral-Basilica community.  This Jubilee Year commemorates, in union with God, our recognition of, appreciation for, and gratitude to all the people who have helped build, sustain, and serve the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in her 50-year journey as a structure, parish and church community.  

We are currently undertaking a number of activities, events, and projects that would concretely express the Cathedral-Basilica’s sense of joy and gratitude for having reached 50 years in its journey as a church and as a community.  These activities, events, and projects are designed to deepen our faith-life as a fitting way to give praise to God and celebrate the gift of faith, the gift of family, and the gift of being sustained by this faith everyday.  They will deepen our understanding of a Cathedral-Basilica and heighten our appreciation of the role the Cathedral-Basilica plays in the faith-life of the Catholic faithful in the parish and in the Archdiocese.

I therefore join our Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron in humbly asking for your financial support for the planned activities of our Cathedral-Basilica’s 50th Anniversary, which will culminate on Saturday, April 20, 2008.  You may submit your contributions directly to the Cathedral-Basilica Pastoral Center Office, or through ParishPay at www.parishpay.com . 

As good stewards, you and I continually invest in our Church and faith-based programs that make the Cathedral-Basilica a very special place of worship.  By supporting its activities, we empower the Church to be life-giving and enable the Cathedral-Basilica to minister to the needs of our community.

In closing, I humbly request that you join our entire parish to pray for the success of our Cathedral-Basilica’s Jubilee Year of Grace, Joy, and Gratitude.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

MONSIGNOR JAMES L.G. BENAVENTE
Rector, Cathedral-Basilica
Archdiocese of Agana, GUAM