Saint Manuel González García, also known as the Apostle of the Abandoned Tabernacles, was born on 25 February 1877 in Seville, Spain. He was the fourth of five boys in his family, and his father worked as a carpenter. From a young age, Manuel showed great devotion to his faith and was actively involved in his parish church. He sang in the choir and began his spiritual journey by entering the junior seminary in Seville at the age of 12. Deepening his commitment to the Church, Manuel was ordained as a priest in the diocese of Seville on 21 September 1901 by Blessed Marcelo Spinola y Maestre, his bishop. In 1902, he was sent to preach a mission in a new location, only to discover a neglected and unclean church upon his arrival. It was during Eucharistic Adoration, while kneeling before the tabernacle, that Manuel experienced a profound call to revitalize devotion to the Eucharist and Adoration. Inspired by this experience, Father Manuel dedicated himself to various ministries that embodied his newfound mission. He served as the chaplain of a nursing home run by the Sisters of the Poor and worked as a priest at the parish of San Pedro del Huelva in Seville. Alongside his pastoral duties, he also engaged in charitable work, providing food and education for underprivileged children. On 4 March 1910, in response to the call he felt during Eucharistic Adoration, Manuel founded the Disciples of Saint John. This religious congregation aimed to spread devotion to the Eucharist and Saint John throughout Europe. Blessed with the support of Pope Saint Pius X, the Disciples quickly grew and became a powerful force for promoting Eucharistic piety. Recognizing his exceptional gifts and dedication, Manuel was chosen to be the auxiliary bishop of Málaga, Spain, on 6 December 1915. He held the title of titular bishop of Olympus. Later, on 22 April 1920, he became the Bishop of Málaga. Throughout his episcopal ministry, he continued to emphasize the importance of the Eucharist and fostered devotion among the faithful. In his final appointment, Bishop Manuel was transferred to the diocese of Palencia, Spain, on 5 August 1935. Here, he passionately advocated for the spiritual well-being of his flock while also founding two new religious congregations: the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth and the Children of Reparation. These religious communities were dedicated to living a life of Eucharistic piety and performing acts of reparation for sins committed against the Blessed Sacrament. Saint Manuel González García passed away on 4 January 1940, in Madrid, Spain, due to natural causes. His final resting place is next to the tabernacle in the Capilla del Santísimo within the Cathedral of Palencia, Spain. Pope John Paul II proclaimed his heroic virtues on 6 April 1998, bestowing upon him the title of venerable. He was subsequently beatified by Pope John Paul II on 29 April 2001, with the beatification ceremony taking place in Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, Rome, Italy. The beatification miracle associated with Saint Manuel González García involved the healing of Sara Ruiz Ortega, an 18-year-old girl who had suffered from tuberculosis peritonitis, leaving her paralyzed. In recognition of his holiness and the additional miracle of the healing of a woman with aggressive lymphoma, Pope Francis canonized Saint Manuel González García on 16 October 2016. The canonization ceremony took place in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Rome, Italy, in the presence of countless devotees and faithful followers. Saint Manuel González García is remembered for his tireless efforts to promote devotion to the Eucharist and his deep love for the Most Holy Sacrament. He is venerated as the patron saint of the Children of Reparation, the Disciples of Saint John, and the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth. His life and teachings continue to inspire Catholics worldwide to strengthen their faith and deepen their love for the Eucharistic presence of Christ.
© 2024 Saint for a Minute