ON Sept. 18, 2008, the Most Reverend Tomas A. Camacho, the first bishop of the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, celebrated his 75th birthday.
On that occasion, the church also launched the book titled “From Goatherd to Shepherd” written by Jess R.A. Sonoda, and opened the gallery which exhibited religious collectibles dating from pre-World War II to the more recent years at the Diocesan Curia of Mt. Carmel Cathedral.
Bishop Camacho continues to serve the church even as canon law requires that upon reaching the age of 75 he should submit his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican has yet to decide whether to accept the resignation.
The book recounts Camacho’s inspiring journey from a young boy raising goats on a farm to becoming the spiritual leader of the Northern Marianas.
The gallery, for its part, stores one of the priceless books owned by the local church — the baptismal registry containing records from 1856 to1879.
Father Ryan P. Jimenez, Diocese of Chalan Kanoa chancellor and superintendent of Catholic schools, said they continue to invite members of the community to visit the gallery so they can better appreciate their church and strengthen their faith.
“This is just a humble beginning but we intend to expand the gallery and try to collect other artifacts in different parishes,” he said.
He admitted that only a few people have visited the gallery, which is open during office hours.
While it may be too small to store all the church’s treasures from the past and present, the gallery is big enough to stock up one’s spiritual knowledge and devotion.
Jimenez showed this reporter the “tabernacle” of the Eucharist on the main altar of the old Bithen de Carmen Church that used to be in Garapan.
This tabernacle is like a scaled model of the church’s façade.
The gallery’s prized possession, however, is the registry book hidden by Jesuit priests at the bell tower during the war.
The bell tower that dates back to 1875 is also displayed at the gallery.
On Jan. 17, 1985, when the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa was established and Camacho was ordained as the its first bishop, the Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary in the Philippines gave Camacho a chasuble, the long sleeveless vestment worn by a priest when celebrating Mass.
Also displayed at the gallery is the chalice given to Camacho by Bishop Appolinaris W. Baumgartner who ordained him as a priest in 1961.
Camacho used the chalice for the first time when he celebrated Mass for his father at the hospital, and then at the Mt. Carmel Church.
According to the inscription at the gallery, “This is the most precious of all the chalices. It dates back to before World War II and is estimated to be nearly 100 years old. Its ornate design suggests it was most likely made or brought in from Spain.”
Also displayed are the lone remaining pew from the pre-war Mt Carmel church, the monstrance of the Blessed Sacrament, the pectoral cross, the paschal candle holder and the bishop’s chair.
Jimenez hopes that members of the community will appreciate the gallery not only for its valuable treasures, but for its historical value, its significance to the local church and the spiritual growth and development of the faithful.
