Sainthood process for Ilocos teen starts

MANILA, Philippines —  The diocese of Laoag in Ilocos Norte has opened the process that may lead to the sainthood of 13-year-old Niña Ruiz Abad.

According to CBCPNews, Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba led a ceremony for the formal launch of the sainthood bid for Abad at the Cathedral of St. William on April 7.

In the diocesan phase, the first step in the sainthood process, a candidate is conferred the title “Servant of God,” as is the case of Abad. This phase includes compiling her writings and gathering testimonies about her life and holiness.

According to Abad’s autobiography, she always wore a rosary around her neck, revered the Holy Trinity, had strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist and often visited the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Laoag before and after going to school.

Abad was also known for her motto “God first,” which became a byword of everyone at her school.

The diocesan inquiry documentation will be sent to the Vatican Congregation for Saints’ Causes for review. If Abad is deemed to have led a heroic life of Christian virtues, the church bestows upon her the title “venerable.”

The next steps are beatification and canonization.

Abad is the second candidate for sainthood from Northern Luzon after Bishop Alfredo Verzosa.