From slums to sainthood: Vatican names Filipino boy who died at 17 'Servant of God'

Darwin Ramos, a Filipino who died at the age of 17, has been declared by the Vatican as a Servant of God, bringing him a step closer to sainthood. (Servant of God Darwin Ramos Cause for Canonization Facebook Page)

Darwin Ramos, a Filipino former street child who died in 2012 due to a serious degenerative disease, is on his way to sainthood.

Pope Francis declared Darwin "Servant of God," giving the Diocese of Cubao (Manila suffragan) the green light to start the Catholic process of beatification and canonization, according to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

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Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the congregation's prefect, made the declaration in March, but it was only made last week, ucanews.com reported.

Darwin Ramos in a wheelchair with his friends of Our Lady of Guadalupe Center during Tulay ng Kabataan summer camp in 2008. (Servant of God Darwin Ramos Cause for Canonization Facebook Page)

Born in the slums of Pasay City on the outskirts of Manila in 1994, Darwin became a street child surviving through begging. At 7 years old, he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease characterized by muscle weakness, and in 2006, he was rescued by the Tulay ng Kabataan (TNK) or Bridge of Children Foundation. He then lived in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, a home for handicapped boys.

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Darwin was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith in 2007, which he fully embraced and used to help others around him.

"For me, it's a mission," Darwin said of his handicap. "For me to know Him better in truth and for me to truth Him better, that I learn to trust Him and to believe in Him...in God, in Jesus because He, only, knows all things of this world and because He is not overburdening me. He is the one in charge!...and this is what I need to do while I can still hold on."

Despite his condition worsening, Darwin, whose name means "dear/gifted friend" was beloved by the other kids and his caretakers described him as a "loving child" with a "fighting spirit," who was constantly praying.

The Servant of God died at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City on Sept. 23, 2012. The day before, he thanked those caring for him by writing "a huge thank you" and "I am very happy."

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Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao started the process at the request of the Friends of Darwin Ramos Association.

“Darwin is an example of holiness," Ongtioco said. "Being a street child, afflicted with myopathy, he is closely united with Christ in his suffering and joy,” Ongtioco said.

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With the "Servant of God" status, Darwin has cleared the first hurdle to sainthood, leading up to canonization, in which miracles must be verified and attributed to his intercession.