In the modern world, where faith can sometimes feel distant, the stories of young saints offer powerful testimonies of holiness that transcend generations. Among those who have died young yet left a profound legacy of faith, seven members of Generation X — born between 1965 and 1980 — stand as examples of courage, devotion, and holiness. These individuals, many of whom are in the process of beatification, remind us that holiness can be achieved regardless of age or the challenges one faces.
1. Niña Ruiz Abad
Niña Ruiz Abad, born on Oct. 31, 1979, in Quezon City, Philippines, was a young girl known for her deep faith from an early age. Despite the loss of her father at the age of three, she lived with a profound love for the Eucharist and a commitment to spreading the faith. “Niña Ruiz-Abad was noted for distributing rosaries, Bibles, and images of saints, and she especially loved the Eucharist,” according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at the age of 10, she bore her illness with serenity and joy until her death at 13 on Aug. 16, 1993. Her cause for beatification was officially opened on March 16, 2024, and if successful, she could become one of the youngest saints in the Church’s history.
2. Marcelo Henrique Câmara
Marcelo Henrique Câmara, born June 26, 1979, in Florianópolis, Brazil, was a law graduate and state prosecutor known for his commitment to the faith. His spiritual journey took a transformative turn during an Emmaus retreat, leading him to become a catechist, an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, and a member of Opus Dei. Despite being diagnosed with leukemia, Câmara remained joyful and offered his suffering to God until his death at 28 on March 20, 2008. According to Father Vitor Galdino Feller, the postulator of his cause, “Câmara bears witness that holiness is possible in youth and serves as an example for those who seek to live the faith in the midst of the world.” His cause for beatification officially began on March 8, 2020.
3. Sister Cecilia María of the Holy Face
Sister Cecilia María of the Holy Face was born on Dec. 5, 1973, in San Martin de los Andes, Argentina. A member of the Discalced Carmelites of Santa Fe, she was known for her joy and faith, even during her battle with cancer. A nurse by profession and a violinist, she continued to pray and offer up her suffering during her illness. She passed away on June 23, 2016, at the age of 42. In January 2025, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz began the process for her beatification, highlighting her “love and trust in Jesus Christ, even in the midst of the most difficult trials,” according to Archbishop Sergio Fenoy. Her unwavering faith in the face of illness has already inspired many to deepen their commitment to Christian life.
4. Rebeca Rocamora
Rebeca Rocamora, born in 1975 in Granja de Rocamora, Spain, was a young catechist who dedicated herself to serving others despite her ongoing battle with a serious illness. Even at a young age, her faith, joy, and love for others shone brightly. “She stood out for her innocence and vitality, and even when facing a serious illness that began to manifest itself at the age of 10, she never lost faith,” according to sources about her life. At 20, after suffering for years, Rebeca passed away on Pentecost, leaving a legacy of holiness. Her cause for canonization was opened in 2009, and the documentation on her life, including signs of miracles, has been sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for further investigation.
5. Chiara “Luce” Badano
Chiara “Luce” Badano, born in 1971 in Italy, was a member of the Focolare movement, deeply committed to prayer and charity from an early age. At 16, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer that led to immense suffering. During her illness, she “offered it to God, refusing morphine in order to remain lucid so she could pray,” according to the Fondazione Chiara Badano. Chiara’s life was marked by joy, and she spent her final months serving others and donating her corneas to help others see. Beatified in 2010, Chiara became the first blessed of the Focolare movement, and her life continues to inspire countless young people worldwide.
6. Victor Manuel Schiavoni
Victor Manuel Schiavoni, born Nov. 24, 1977, in Nogoyá, Argentina, was a young man deeply committed to his religious vocation. He entered the Minor Seminary of Our Lady of the Cenacle at 14 and was known for his desire to live a contemplative life. His life took a turn when he was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 17. Despite his suffering, Victor “accepted his illness with serenity, stating: ‘If the Virgin sends it to me, I accept it. I’m not going to complain,’” according to the Archdiocese of Paraná. He passed away on Sept. 7, 1995, leaving behind a profound witness to faith, which led to the opening of his cause for beatification in 2023.
7. Carlos Rodolfo Yaryez
Carlos Rodolfo Yaryez, born March 29, 1966, in Paraná, Argentina, was known for his dedication to Catholic Action and his leadership in his community. After being diagnosed with leukemia, he faced his illness with profound trust in God. According to the Archdiocese of Paraná, Yaryez’s life was a testimony of “devotion to the Virgin Mary, the Eucharist, and adoration.” He passed away on Oct. 30, 1990, at the age of 24. His cause for beatification was opened in 2023, and his legacy lives on through the places that honored him, including Catholic Action and St. Martin Hospital.
These seven members of Generation X, though young in years, lived lives marked by extraordinary faith, courage, and love for God. Their journeys remind us that sainthood is not limited by age but by the purity of heart and devotion to God. As their causes for beatification continue, their stories inspire a new generation to embrace holiness, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
