The Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica is the principal church and metropolitan cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agaña, serving as the ecclesiastical seat of the Archbishop. It is dedicated to the Sweet Name of Mary, a title of the Virgin Mary central to the Catholic faith. The cathedral holds the special designation of a minor basilica, a title conferred by the Holy See that signifies its particular historical and spiritual importance.

The site of the present cathedral has been a center of Catholic worship on Guam since the 17th century. The first church was established here in 1669 under the direction of Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Spanish Jesuit missionary who initiated the Christian evangelization of the Mariana Islands. This original structure was a humble building of wood and thatch, marking the birthplace of the Catholic faith in the region.

The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout its history due to natural disasters, including typhoons and earthquakes, as well as the devastation of World War II. Each reconstruction has reflected the architectural styles and available materials of its era, with the current structure dating from the post-war period in the 1950s. Its resilience symbolizes the enduring presence of the Catholic Church in Guam's history.

As the mother church of Guam and the wider Micronesian region, the cathedral-basilica plays a vital role in the religious and cultural life of the island. It is the focal point for major archdiocesan ceremonies, including the installation of bishops, ordinations, and significant feast days. The annual celebration in honor of its patroness, the Dulce Nombre de Maria, is a prominent event in the local calendar.

The cathedral complex is located in the capital village of Hagåtña, facing the Plaza de España, the historical heart of the island's Spanish colonial administration. This placement underscores its longstanding role at the center of community life. The cathedral remains an active parish serving the faithful of Hagåtña and stands as a landmark representing the deep-rooted Catholic heritage of the Chamorro people.