The Diocese of Laoag has taken a significant step towards potentially canonizing a young Filipino girl as a saint, as it officially launched the cause for beatification and canonization of Niña Ruiz Abad, a 13-year-old girl known for her devout faith and resilience.
At the Cathedral Church of St. William the Hermit in Laoag City, a portrait of Abad was unveiled to the public on April 7, marking the commencement of the investigation into her life’s merits. Attended by her family members, including her mother Corazon Abad and sister Mary Ann Abad, the event initiated a thorough examination of Abad’s life and virtues.
Bishop Renato Mayugba of Laoag City spoke of Abad’s exemplary qualities, stating, “Abad was an inspiration of piety, mercy, evangelization, and fortitude to others,” highlighting her devotion to prayer and her unwavering faith despite battling a serious heart condition from a young age.
The session began with a reenactment video portraying Abad’s dedication to God and her acts of kindness, including distributing religious items to those around her. Fr. Dennise Duene Ruiz, the postulator of the cause, emphasized Abad’s devoutness, noting her daily prayers of the Angelus and the rosary, and her influence on her family and peers.
Fr. Ruiz also addressed the contemporary challenges faced by youth, underscoring the importance of having role models like Abad to guide them towards a deeper relationship with God amidst societal distractions.
The tribunal convened by Bishop Renato will serve as a platform for hearing witnesses in support of Abad’s beatification and canonization. Abad’s portrait, crafted by Filipino painter Ariel Caratao, serves as a tangible representation of her potential path to sainthood.
Abad’s journey towards recognition began when Fr. Ruiz petitioned for her beatification in July 2023, three decades after her passing from a heart attack at the age of 13 due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.