I know you don't know any holy people and don't really care at all. Why? Because most people would rather watch/read the news or controversial stuff that are actually garbage and makes watchers/readers angry. If you'd rather fuel your hate then you will never appreciate the good life at all, let alone people who are the ones who lift us up from the mire we're in.
As I always say: Ignorance of Catholicism is not bliss. If you want a better life, start reading and learning about the lives of saints. Plenty of such in the Catholic Church, many are already featured online. Let's be inspired by them and emulate them instead of wallowing in useless TikTok vids and Reels.
Prefer someone who's not ancient? Well here are four remarkable Christians who are inspiring and worth aspiring to be! They were ordinary people whose life stories need to be imbibed so we can try our best to live holy lives.
‼️You can read Part 1 of this post for context before going further. You'll learn how one is declared a saint in the Catholic Church, etc. If you already read it and got inspired, get ready to be blown away by the following pious Christians!
📖 The Dedicated Catechist: Servant of God Laureana "Ka Luring" Franco
This person is kinda more related to me than any of the rest I have written. Why? Because she's a poor catechist, like what I'm trying but failing to be. Haha. Of course she is way holier and saintlier than I. Actually at times I don't even want to teach kids if they don't know how to behave and such. Oh it's such a struggle to be holy and to do the will of God.
Anyway, what is Ka Luring's story? She resigned from her first job and became a full-time volunteer catechist for most of her life! I mean, wow. Poverty is next to godliness eh??? Despite having no job she would teach children about the faith. Priests would even ask her to pray for certain problems, plans or projects they have!!! Imagine that! The poor woman would pray and fast for days to weeks for their intentions until she is told everything is well with whatever she prayed for. 😱
It's hard to fathom but saintly people can really embrace being poor yet live a generous and sacrificial life!!! Lord have mercy on all of us selfish people. 😅
There's also a story of how a priest maltreated her. In anger, he threw an ashtray at her head and she got hospitalized for it. And yet she forgave him easily. I'm like, wth... Normally such a story would raise our ire against the clergyman. How could a man of God treat a woman, a church volunteer, in such a terrible way?!? And yet she, the victim herself, never hated him for what happened to her!
Now you may be wondering... How in the world can most of us understand such people who easily and readily forgives? That incident is another perfect example of why it is hard to be holy. But forgiving someone can be done. If she can do it, so can we!!!
Thru constant prayer, frequent confession, spending time with Jesus in the adoration chapel, accepting our crosses and following Jesus Christ we will one day be more charitable and merciful towards others. Step by step, little by little, we can make it if we do our best everyday. We must ask God's grace for it to happen!
Watch this to learn more about her and be inspired! ♥️
🩸 Martyred for the Faith: Servant of God Fr. Rhoel Gallardo
Oh boy, who would think there would be people killed for their faith in God in this day and age? And yet all over the world this is still happening. I didn't think much of such stories until I found out about Fr. Rhoel Gallardo sometime in 2024.
Just like St. Lorenzo Ruiz, he refused to give up the faith even if they tortured him. Find out more about his life story in this short feature video and how he got martyred in 2000.
There's actually a movie about his life story released just last year. So sad I wasn't able to watch it. Anyway here's the trailer of In Thy Name!
There's also a documentary film to be released this month! Seeds of Peace is actually available for block screenings too. You can watch the teaser video here.
Like St. Maximilian Kolbe, he suffered much before he was murdered. And yet now his life story serves as modern inspiration for every Christian out there. Definitely if you pray and ask for his intercession for any difficulty in life your prayers will surely reach God.
🙏 Future Millennial Saint: Servant of God Darwin Ramos
Here's a teenager who started as a street kid and then happily endured a sickness until death. He died of Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was only 17 years old.
Watch this to know what a Servant of God is and how such a person behaves. And some details on how to become a declared saint by the Vatican.
I am actually not very familiar with him even if his cause for sainthood was initiated by the bishop of the Diocese of Cubao (where I'm in). Didn't know about him until last year I think but I still never checked much on him until last month. But now I finally know more of Darwin thru this news documentary! And wow, his life was truly inspirational indeed.
If you know of anyone who has illnesses that seem to be impossible to heal, you can pray and ask for his intercession. Don't forget to document the before and after so everything can be solid evidence. 😉
😇 A Gen X Servant of God: Niña Ruiz Abad
Who would have thought this girl would be known by someone in Spain? Well look here's a guy who learned about her and tells the story of this inspiring Catholic teenager. Of course this is in Spanish but there's an English auto-dub for us non-Spanish speakers.
Otherwise feel free to watch this and learn why she became a Servant of God on the way to sainthood. Who is she? Find out in this video.:
I didn't know about Niña Ruiz Abad until 2 yrs ago when I attended the 33rd Eucharistic Congress. Her mom spoke about her life and they also gave away prayer cards with her relics. I think hers is the first ever saint relic I ever got.
Anyway, what do you think about her life story? You can also pray and ask her intercession using this official prayer.
Who to Contact When a Miracle Happens?
If in case you experienced a miracle after praying and asking the help of these saintly people you can report them thru various ways.
👉 For Servant of God Laureana Franco:
For those who wish to report on blessings received through the Servant of God, Laureana “Ka Luring” Franco, please contact:
DR. ERICKSON S. JAVIER
Diocesan Postulator
Chancery Office, Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol,
Sta. Clara de Monteflaco Parish Compound,
Caniogan, Pasig City, 1600, Philippines
Contact Numbers: (+632)8643-9325, (+632) 8643-9361 loc. 110 and 113
Email: chancery.pasigdiocese (at) gmail (dot) com
FB Page: Servant of God Laureana "Ka Luring" Franco
👉 For Servant of God Fr. Rhoel Gallardo:
As you have seen in the graphic above here it is again.
CLARETIAN MISSIONARIES
Office of the Vice-Postulator
8-B Mayumi Street, U.P. Village,
Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Philippines
Tel. No.: (+632) 929-5040 loc. 102
Email: rhoelpostulation (at) yahoo (dot) com
FB page: Servant of God Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, CMF
👉 For Servant of God Darwin Ramos:
The Darwin Ramos Association has no representation in the Philippines.
Feel free to donate to the canonization cause and report any graces received or miracles thru the following:
DARWIN RAMOS ASSOCIATION
95, avenue de la Libération
33320 Eysines, France
Tel. No.: (+33) 9 87 50 78 22
Email: darwinramosassociation (at) gmail (dot) com
Website: https://darwin-ramos.org
FB Page: Servant of God Darwin Ramos: Cause for Canonization
👉 For Servant of God Niña Ruiz Abad:
To request for biography, prayer cards, information and for reports of favors and graces received through the intercession of the Servant of God, Niña Ruiz Abad, please inform/call:
REV. FR. HARVEY NAVAL
Vice Postulator, Bishop's Residence
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte 2900
Philippines
Contact numbers: (+63) 962-362-7883 or (+63) 962-582-0841
Email: nra.causa3682 (at) gmail (dot) com
FB Page: Servant of God Niña Ruiz Abad Faith Journey
❓Who Will Be the Next Filipino Saint?
So what do you think about all five of them? Who will be the next to be canonized? We can pray and use any of those I shared above so we can experience a miracle if God wills it.
Nobody will become a saint unless we ask for the intercession of these people who are already officially recognized by the Vatican. If we aren't praying how can they make miracles happen? They won't be declared saints if nobody asks for their assistance.
That's why anyone who needs help in life, especially those with illnesses can definitely ask favors from the Lord thru them. God will surely hear each prayer we pray with the aid of these 4 Servants of God and 1 Venerable person. 🙏
Servant of God Laureana Franco, pray for us.
Servant of God Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, pray for us.
Servant of God Darwin Ramos, pray for us.
Servant of God Niña Ruiz Abad, pray for us.
Venerable Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, pray for us.
Did you know about any of them before reading this? Who among them inspired you the most and why? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
