Cause for beatification and canonization of 'servant of God Darwin' opens for Catholic church
Cause for beatification and canonization of 'servant of God Darwin' opens for Catholic church
By leslie aquino
The local Catholic Church witnessed a historic event Wednesday with the formal opening of the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of "Servant of God" Darwin Ramos.
"Servant of God" Darwin Ramos (Our Parish Priest)
And Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said if Ramos is canonized as a saint, he will be one of the youngest Filipino to become a saint.
"If he is canonized...I think he will be one of the youngest," he said in an interview before the ceremony for the formal opening of the cause started.
Born on December 17, 1994, Ramos died on September 2012 at the age of 17.
To note, the Philippines currently has two saints namely Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod.
Calungsod was born on July 21, 1654, and died on April 1672 also at the age of 17.
In a press briefing, Ongtioco admitted that the process for sainthood is going to be tedious.
"Earlier it was asked how long the process would take...it depends," he said.
The prelate also revealed that there at least 18 candidates for sainthood pending in Rome from the Philippines.
"When we went to Rome last June...there are about 18 candidates from the Philippines. Some are long pending like the foundress of the RVM and the foundress of the Sienna sisters," said Ongtioco.
The prelate later clarified that the said candidates are not necessarily Filipinos.
"Usually where the person dies is where it is processed," Ongtioco said.
Father Danilo Flores of the vicarate of Rome explained why the event was historic.
"This day will not only be a historical event for the diocese of Cubao but also of the Holy Church because the opening session which is the first session for the promotion for the cause of the servant of God Darwin will be important because the investigative body has been established by the bishop. His primary task is to verify whether the servant of God is indeed in his lifetime heroically practiced the Christian virtues and to be declared as one of the saints in heaven," he said.
"So the task of the investigative body is to use the legal means the juridico cannonical means in order to prove that our candidate for the beatification is already enjoying the beatific vision together with God and the saints. So this is the primary task. The body will try to prove that Darwin, the servant of God has the reputation for goodness and to be declared as such," added Flores, the Promoter of Justice for the cause of beatification.
Flores said Darwin is famous because he has certain holiness which is not common to the youth of the Philippines or in the world.
"He has something that we would have to discover and that will take place in step by step stages," he said.
"More important if he is in heaven, we have to prove if he can be a model especially for the youth of the Philippines," added Flores.
The Postulator for the cause of beatification and canonization of the servant of God Darwin Ramos, Fr. Thomas de Gabory of the order of preachers recalled his encounter with Ramos.
"I met Darwin Ramos one time in my life. It was in 2012 Aug. Darwin was 17 years old. And he died after my encounter. Darwin was like you and I. A simple teenager," he said.
And although Darwin was a simple teenager, he said he was very impressed with his spiritual life.
"In appearance he was like you and I, but in the heart he was deeply donated with Jesus Christ. He is suffering in his illness. That is why I believe in my heart, he is already in heaven. I believe that. But I have to prove it at the tribunal and church. To the promoter of justice. I have to prove it. We have to prove the holiness of Darwin. Of his Christian values, his hope, his sprituality, faith. To prove he is already in heaven...We have to investigate the life of Darwin. So it is my job. I am the advocate of Darwin but we have to find truth," said Gabory.
Darwin's mother Erlinda, who was present for the occasion, also shared her thoughts regarding her son.
"When he was still alive he didn’t hurt anyone. And even though his life was short he did something good," she said.
"Im thankful...because he left memories with us. He gave love when he was still here. He showed what kind of child he is. He never harbor any ill will, he was a good son," added Erlinda.
To recall, the Vatican declared on March 29 Darwin Ramos as “Servant of God,” the preliminary process for sainthood.
Declaring Ramos Servant of God is the first step towards recognizing him as a saint.
Other steps towards sainthood are declarations of Venerable, Blessed and canonization.
The declaration gave the Diocese of Cubao the green light to initiate the process for beatification and canonization of the teenage boy.