Laoag diocese opens cause for canonization of 13-year-old Niña Ruiz Abad
The Diocese of Laoag has officially launched the cause of beatification and canonization for 13-year-old Servant of God, Niña Ruiz Abad.
According to the National Catholic Register, the Diocese of Laoag started the investigation into Abad's merits and the possibility that she would become the next Filipino saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
A Facebook post by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that Abad's portrait—wherein she is seen in a white dress, with hands together, and wearing a rosary on her neck—was presented to the public last April 7 at the Cathedral Church of St. William the Hermit in Laoag City, which was attended by Abad's mother, Corazon Abad, only sister, Mary Ann Abad, and other relatives.
Bishop Renato Mayugba of Laoag City said that Abad was an "inspiration of piety, mercy, evangelization, and fortitude to others” when he testified and described the life of the 13-year-old at the tribunal.
“We are starting our investigation on the life of Niña, to discern if indeed God has blessed us with a Servant of God who can be elevated to sainthood,” the bishop added.
To commence the session, attendees got a glimpse of Abad's life through a reenactment video showcasing how she devoted her short-lived life to God.
The young child, they said, was devoted to praying and sharing the wisdom of God by handing out religious images and prayer cards to the people around her.
The video highlighted her remarkable resilience in battling a serious heart condition diagnosed at the young age of ten. Her faith shone as she reassured her mother with, "Don't worry, Mommy. It's okay. God will heal me."
'A good model of piety and fortitude'
The postulator of the cause, Fr. Dennise Duene Ruiz, in his speech, commemorated Abad’s prayerful and faithful life, stating that her devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary is unfathomable.
“She loved to pray the Angelus and the rosary daily at home and encouraged her members of the family and her house helpers to join her,” he said.
In his speech, he also recalled anecdotes from Abad's friends, schoolmates, and teachers, all of whom said she displayed strong faith and offered her achievements and life to God.
He also emphasized that many of the youth today are so engrossed in worldly material things such as technology, fun, and pleasure that draw them away from having a healthy relationship, especially with God. Fr. Ruiz stressed how dysfunctional and disintegrated families influence society, especially the children, which causes them to seek comfort and solace in their environment.
“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,” Fr. Ruiz added.
The tribunal ordered by Laoag Bishop Renato will serve as a platform to hear witnesses for the cause of the beatification and canonization.
Abad's portrait presented at the tribunal was crafted by Filipino painter Ariel Caratao.
It was in July 2023 when the request to consider Abad’s beatification and canonization by Fr. Ruiz was recognized, thirty years after her death.
Her road to sainthood was first filed at the Diocese of Novaliches then later on approved by the Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to be transferred in the Diocese of Laoag.
Abad suffered from an incurable heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Despite her condition, she displayed such faithful and prayerful acts. She even thrived in terms of her academics and managed to finish elementary school with honors.
Abad passed away from a heart attack at school on August 16, 1993 at the age of 13.