Manila: With much anticipation, the world looks up to the long process of canonization of Filipino boy, who was born and brought up in the streets and was taken to eternal rest at the age of 17, following a rare genetic disease. The teenager, Darwin Ramos battled Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disease characterized by muscle weakness, which resulted in the death of the teenager in 2012. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome has given the Cubao Diocese, a nod to initiate the process of Canonization. Though the unofficial declaration was made earlier this year in March, the announcement was made officially, last week by Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Therefore, Ramose is now on the way of sainthood and is declared a ‘Servant of God’ by the Vatican.
Ramose was born in 1994 in the streets of Philipines. Later he was taken up by the ‘Bridge for Children’ group at the age of 7. This is when he was rehabilitated from the streets. Though, the disease was discovered, it was far beyond the stage of control.
Later, Ramos was shifted to Our Lady of Guadaloupe, a childcare centre for the disabled. it was in 2006, that the teenager learned about Christian faith and decided to get christened. he saw his disease as a duty bestowed by God. He once said,” My disease is my duty and through this, I am knowing God in His fullness. Jesus knows everything, He knows it better than all of us.” Even as the pain increased during the days of sickness, he placed his hopes on Jesus alone, says his caretakers.
“Darwin is an example of holiness. Being a street child, afflicted with myopathy, he is closely united with Christ in his suffering and joy,” said Bishop Ongtioco.
Thanking everyone for their service during his last days, Ramos breathed his last on Sept. 23, 2012, at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City on Sept. 23, 2012.
His mother, Erlinda Ramos was also present at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, where the press conference regarding the announcement was held.
(Source: http://www.pravachakasabdam.com/index.php/site/news/11077 )
