Is there another Carlo Acutis headed for sainthood? It appears so, halfway around the world from Bl. Carlo’s home in Assisi, Italy. On Divine Mercy Sunday, the cause for canonization of Niña Ruiz-Abad was officially opened at the Cathedral of St. William the Hermit in Laoag City, Philippines. Venerable Niña received the title of “Servant of God.” Devotion to the Eucharist Born Oct. 31, 1979, in Quezon City, to lawyer parents, Niña lost her father when she was 3. Her mother was a great devotee of Divine Mercy, and Niña took after her, having a strong devotion to the Eucharist. From her early years, she distributed Rosaries, Bibles, and other religious articles to her neighbors and schoolmates. Diagnosed at the age of 10 with the heart condition that would ultimately kill her, Niña was a model of redemptive and joyful Christian suffering. She died in 1993, just 13 years old, making her one of the youngest people to ever have a cause for canonization opened for them. Father Dennis Ruíz, postulator of the cause, compared Niña to Bl. Carlo. “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 to God,” he said. “With the presence of dysfunctional families and family disintegration in today’s society, children are usually the most affected, which consequently makes them turn for solace and consolation to 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.” “Today, children and young people are inspired by the life of Niña Ruiz-Abad to live a life rooted in prayer,” the Philippine Bishops’ Conference stated. “Her story continues to reach the hearts of many people because it is an example of how, with God, obstacles can be overcome.” suFFering WitH JoY
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