7 young Catholics of generation X on the way to the altars

In addition to some young millennials who are on their way to the altars, there are also members of the X generation – born between 1965 and 1981 – who, despite their short life, left a deep legacy of faith and remain an example of holiness for newness for new generations

Then we present some of them in the process of beatification (and some already declared blessed).

1. Girl Ruiz Abad

Ruiz-Abad girl He was born on October 31, 1979 in Quezon City, the Philippines, and since childhood he showed a deep faith. Raised with her sister Mary Anne, she lost her father at age three and, in 1988, she moved with her mother to Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.

His life was marked by distributing rosaries, bibles and images of saints, and especially loved the Eucharist. At 10, she was diagnosed with hypertrophic myocardiopathy, a heart disease that led with serenity and joy until her death on August 16, 1993, at age 13, after suffering cardiac arrest in school.

His tomb in Sarrat has become a pilgrimage place.

On March 16, 2024, the Vatican granted the nothing stands (NDR nothing prevents), for the opening of its cause of beatification. With this recognition, a girl is now considered “Servant of God.”

On March 10, 2024, the Dicasterio for the causes of the saints authorized the opening of the cause of beatification. If your process advances and miracles attributed to its intercession are recognized, it could become one of the younger holy in the history of the Catholic Church.

2. Marcelo Henrique Câmara

Marcelo Henrique Câmara He was born on June 26, 1979 in Florianopolis, Brazil. He was a brilliant young man committed to his faith, graduated in Law and who worked as a state prosecutor. His conversion occurred in a retreat from Emaus.

He was a catechist, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a member of Opus Dei, finding in the spirituality of St. Josemaría Escrivá the key to sanctifying himself in everyday life. Despite being diagnosed with leukemia, he offered his suffering with joy and hope, until his death on March 20, 2008, at 28.

Marcelo’s beatification process officially began on March 8, 2020, when the Dicasterio of the Causes of the Saints granted the nothing stands to the Archdiocese of Florianopolis to investigate its cause.

The postulator of his cause, Father Galdino Feller, stressed that Marcelo is a testimony that holiness is possible in youth and an example for those who seek to live faith in the middle of the world.

3. Hna. Cecilia Mary of the Holy Faz

The Sister Cecilia María de la Santa Faz He was born on December 5, 1973 in San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina. He entered the barefoot Carmelites of Santa Fe at age 24, made his first votes at the age of 26 and consumed his perpetual profession in 2003.

Profession nurse and violinist, stood out for her joy and permanent smile, even during her fight against tongue cancer with pulmonary metastases. During that hard time, he kept praying and offering his sufferings, convinced that he was close to his encounter with God. He died in Buenos Aires in the early hours of June 23, 2016.

In January 2025, the Archbishop of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz (Argentina), Mons. Sergio Fenoy, decreed the beginning of the cause of beatification and canonization.

In 2024, by signing the edict To initiate the process prior to the cause, the prelate highlighted the testimony of the religious of “love and confidence in Jesus Christ, even in the midst of the hardest evidence”, ensuring that “he has awakened in many hearts the desire of a greater commitment to Christian life ”.

4. Rebeca Rocamora

Rebeca Rocamora She was a young Catechist from Rocamora (Spain), recognized for her faith, joy and surrender to others despite the hard disease that accompanied her since childhood.

Born in 1975, she stood out for her innocence and vitality, and even when facing a serious condition that began to manifest at 10 years, she never lost faith. His life became a testimony of humility and charity, leaving an indelible mark on family, friends and neighbors. His example of holiness and strength was crowned in the solemn context of Pentecost, when he died at age 20.

The Rebeca canonization process, initiated in 2009 by the then bishop of Orihuela-Aliante, Mons. Rafael Palmero, has advanced significantly. After completing the Diocesan phase, the documentation about his life, heroic virtues, fame of holiness and signs of miracles was exhaustively collected.

Currently, these documents have been sent to the Dicastery of the Causes of the Saints, marking the next step on their way to the altars.

5. Chiara “Luce” Badano

Chiara “Luce” Badano (1971-1990) was a young Italian recognized for her testimony of love and faith in the midst of suffering. Member of the Movement of Focolors, since childhood he showed a deep life of prayer and a great commitment to charity. At 16 she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a disease that offered God, rejecting morphine to stay lucid in prayer.

In his last months, he dedicated his time to helping others and came to donate their corneas so that others could see. His life, marked by joy, has inspired thousands of young people in the world.

Chiara was beatified On September 25, 2010 in a ceremony held in Rome with the participation of thousands of young people from various countries. It is the first blessed of the focus movement.

6. Víctor Manuel Schiavoni

Víctor Schiavoni He was born on November 24, 1977 in the Argentine department of Nogoyá. At age 14, he moved to Paraná to complete his studies at the Minor Nuestra Señora del Cenacle Seminar.

With a deep religious vocation, he sought contemplative life and entrusted to the Virgin Mary to discern her call. During a pilgrimage to Luján in 1995, he expressed his desire to offer his life to the Virgin. Shortly after, he began experiencing pain pains, which led to his diagnosis of leukemia. Despite suffering, he accepted his illness serenity, stating: “If the Virgin sends it to me, I accept it, I am not going to complain.”

During his internment, Victor distinguished himself for his joy, patience and generosity, always prioritizing the well -being of others. He faced his illness without complaints, and maintained a deep life of prayer. On September 7, 1995, with 17 years, he died leaving a testimony of faith that impacted those who met him.

His desire to be buried with the Alba of Seminarista reflected his conviction of having responded to his vocational call. Its legacy inspired the opening of its cause of beatification, announced on May 8, 2023 by the Archdiocese of Paraná.

7. CARLOS RODOLFO YARYEZ

Carlos Rodolfo Yaryz He was born in Paraná on March 29, 1966, within a Christian family that marked his way. His life was characterized by a constant search for God, which led him to get involved in the Argentine Catholic Action, where he stood out for his apostolic commitment and youth leadership.

His testimony of faith became even more evident when, after being diagnosed with leukemia, he assumed his illness with deep confidence in God’s will. Throughout his life, he cultivated an intense spirituality based on the Eucharist, adoration and devotion to the Virgin Mary. He died on October 30, 1990, leaving a mark of holiness.

On May 8, 2023, the Archdiocese of Paraná announced the opening of its cause of beatification, recognizing its testimony of Christian delivery and love. His memory is still alive in the places where he left his legacy, such as the headquarters of the Catholic Action and the San Martín Hospital, where plates have been placed in his honor.