Portrait of Niña Ruiz Abad, girl on path to sainthood unveiled

MANILA, Philippines — The Diocese of Laoag has unveiled a portrait of Niña Ruiz Abad, the 13-year-old girl on the path to sainthood.

According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in a Facebook post, Abad’s portrait was presented to the public on Sunday, April 7, during the start of her beatification and canonization process.

“The official portrait of the Servant of God, Niña Ruíz-Abad, was presented to the public during the opening session of the diocesan phase of her cause for beatification and canonization at the Cathedral Church of St. William the Hermit,” the CBCP said.

Thirty years after her death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in August 1993, a formal request to consider the Filipino teen for canonization was approved by the CBCP in July 2023.

Despite her short life, she was remembered for her devotion which captivated the hearts of many. 

 The CBCP previously noted that Abad could serve as a “good model of piety and fortitude” for today’s youth.