At the St. William the Hermit Cathedral in Laoag City, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag formally commenced a session examining the beatification and canonization of late pious teenager Niña Ruiz-Abad, starting the investigation into her virtues and if the 13-year-old could be proclaimed a saint.
The occasion also signified the start of a long process that would turn Ruíz-Abad into one of history's youngest saints.
Unusual characteristics for her age
During his remarks, Fr. Dennis Duene Ruiz, said that Ruiz-Abad had previously displayed behaviors odd for her young age, such as wearing white dresses and a rosary around her neck.
"Her piety was manifested by her being religious and her reverence to the holy triune god, her devotion to the god and the Blessed Virgin Mary are unfathomable," he said.
In the video shown in the event, she was seen as a small child, deeply involved in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament with her arms extended toward God.
She loved giving prayer cards and religious images, particularly of the Santo Nino, to her teachers and classmates.
Along with other family members, Ruíz-Abad's mother Corazon Abad, only sister Mary Ann Abad, her third-grade teacher Eliza Samson and other members of the God First Association—named after Ruíz-Abad's favorite catchphrase “God First” — were at the event.
Model for Catholics
The Church is working to identify contemporary saints who serve as role models for Catholics in the 21st century, which includes the beatification and canonization of Ruíz-Abad.
“Many of the youth nowadays are preoccupied by technology, fashion, fun, pleasure, and desire for worldly material things, which sometimes draw their attention away from healthy relationships, especially [relationships] to God,” Fr. Ruiz said.
“But having a good model of piety and fortitude for the youth, they can be saved from utter destruction. Knowing Niña’s character and traits and her strong faith toward God will serve as a guide to the youth,” he added.
While Ruiz-Abad continues her path to sainthood, the Catholic Church continues to seek to honor saints who lived out their faith in everyday situations.
