Exposition of the Official Portrait of Servant of God Niña Ruíz-Abad at the Cathedral of St. William the Hermit in Laoag City, Philippines: A Step Towards Sainthood

The official portrait of Servant of God Niña Ruíz-Abad was unveiled on April 7, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. William the Hermit in Laoag City, Philippines, marking the beginning of her journey towards sainthood. The event, coinciding with Divine Mercy Sunday, saw Bishop Renato Mayugba of Laoag City leading the tribunal to hear witnesses testify to the holiness of the 13-year-old Filipina.

Ruíz-Abad, known for her deep piety and love for God from a young age, was described as an inspiration of piety, mercy, evangelization, and fortitude. A video reenactment of her life showcased her unwavering faith, even in the face of a diagnosis of incurable heart disease.

Father Dennis Ruíz, postulator of the cause, highlighted the importance of Ruíz-Abad’s example, especially for the youth of today, emphasizing the need for strong models of piety and fortitude in a world preoccupied with material things.

The official portrait of the Servant of God, painted by Filipino artist Ariel Caratao, was presented to the public during the session, accompanied by performances from the Divine Mercy Children’s Choir. Ruíz-Abad’s family, as well as members of the God First Association and a large congregation, were present at the event.

Following the opening session, the tribunal and attendees visited Ruíz-Abad’s tomb in the Church of St. Monica, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, as part of the petition for her beatification and canonization.

The Catholic Church’s recognition of modern-day saints like Ruíz-Abad serves as a reminder to put God first in our lives, as Bishop Mayugba encouraged. The story was first published by the National Catholic Register and is reprinted here with permission.