MANILA -- The diocesan phase of the cause of sainthood of a 13-year-old Filipino girl who died in 1993 has officially started.

If canonized, Niña Ruiz-Abad could become the Philippines' third Filipino saint and one of the youngest saints in history.

A formal ceremony was held last April 7 at the Saint William the Hermit Cathedral in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte which opened the opening session of the diocesan phase of the cause of beatification and canonization of Abad. 

The postulator presented the biography of Abad as well as other documents to Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba. 

Next, the required documents were submitted to the diocesan tribunal which will examine the life and virtues of Abad, as well as testimonies about her. 

Back in March, the Holy See granted the "nihil obstat" meaning "nothing stands in the way" for the beatification and possible canonization of Abad, thus becoming "Servant of God." 

Philippine diocese eyes 13-year-old girl from Laoag for sainthood

Abad was born and grew up in Quezon City but later transferred to her parents' hometown in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.

At a young age, she "showed behaviors or acts, which were unusual to her age." 

"She had always worn a rosary on her neck and loved to wear white dresses. Her piety was manifested by her being religious and her reverence to the Holy Triune God," the document containing Abad's biography stated. 

"Her devotion to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary is unfathomable. She loved to pray the Angelus and rosary daily at home and even encouraged all members of her family and household to join her." 

Due to her mother's work, they went back to Quezon City where she died after suffering from a heart attack while in school. 

"Her teachers also recounted that in whatever activities and even during playtime in school she started and offered them to God through prayers and meditation. She also reminded them to embrace God first -- her motto which became a byword of everyone in school," her biography stated. 

"People who knew Niña were amazed and puzzled about how a girl at her age can be so pious and holy." 

The entire process before a person is recognized as a saint takes years. 

After the diocesan phase, the documents are then submitted to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for rigorous examinations, which will include theologians, bishops, and cardinals. If the cause is deemed valid, the dicastery will present it to the pope, who may grant his approval for the release of a decree declaring the individual as "venerable."

For the beatification process, the phase before a person is declared a saint, a miracle attributed to the individual is required. If the person was martyred or died because of the Catholic faith, a miracle is no longer required. 

This was the case for Filipino Saint Pedro Calungsod, a young missionary catechist who was persecuted and killed in the middle of missionary work. 

For canonization, the final step for an individual to be recognized as a saint, another miracle is required. 

In a report from CBCP News in 2023, Bishop Mayugba said Abad could serve as a "good model of piety and fortitude" for the youth.  

"Knowing Niña’s character and traits and her strong faith in God will serve as a guide to the youth in handling their affairs towards a better Christian life," the prelate said. 

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