St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia
Victoria Schneider (Translator)
Scepter Publishers
ISBN 9781594173141
eISBN 9781594173202
ASIN B07H8JX6HB
This is book is a collection of reflections that were selected and translated by Victoria Schneider. And the collection was edited by Father Sean Davidson of the Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist. After extensive research I believe this might be the only book of works by Saint Manuel Gonzalez Garcia that is available in English. And it is a little gem, a treasure, a pearl. This book has received praise from some authors I greatly appreciate. Vinnie Flynn states:
“At a time when the Real Presence is neglected or ignored by the majority of Catholics, and when the sanctuary lamp burns more often than not in an empty church, this book is the perfect introduction to the timely message of St. Manuel García, canonized in 2016. His life-long goal was to foster the type of “Eucharistic amazement” later encouraged by Pope John Paul II, and to lead believers to an intimate encounter with God Himself, present in the Mass, the monstrance, and the tabernacle. You will put this book down with a renewed desire to enter more fully into the “dialogue of love” that Jesus is wanting and waiting to have with you—at every moment, of every day.”
And Eric Sammons declares:
“St. Manuel González had a powerful experience when encountering an abandoned tabernacle—an experience that changed the direction of his life forever. In this collection of his writings we are able to encounter his deep devotion to our Eucharistic Lord. It is my hope and prayer that this book will introduce the profound spirituality of St. Manuel to an English-speaking audience for the first time.”
Something drew me to this book. From the first time I saw the cover and read the title. There was something that kept calling me back to it. And once I started reading it I could not put it down. The sections in the book are:
Foreword
Preface
I. ST. MANUEL’S EUCHARISTIC LIFE
St. Manuel’s Message for the Church
II. THE ABANDONED TABERNACLE
How is the Tabernacle Abandoned?
The Effects of the Abandonment
III. HOW TO ADORE
The Company of Compassion
Why Jesus Wanted Us to Have Holy Communion
Adoration and the Gospel
IV. WHAT DOES JESUS DO AND SAY IN THE TABERNACLE?
Jesus in the Tabernacle is not Inactive or Silent, in Spite of Appearances
The Revealer of the Tabernacle
V. WHAT DOES THE HEART OF JESUS DO IN THE TABERNACLE?
Jesus is Looking at Me
The Heart of Jesus is Exhaling Power
Sometimes the Power from the Heart of Jesus is Wasted
The Heart of Jesus is Listening
The Works of the Heart of Jesus are Almost Always Ignored and Hardly Ever Appreciated
VI. WHAT DOES THE HEART OF JESUS SAY IN THE TABERNACLE?
Rise
Walk
Follow Me
Rest a While
A Little While
“It Is I, Do Not Be Afraid”
“But Who do You Say that I Am?”
Are You Able?
Where Are The Nine?
If I Tell the Truth. . .
Have I Been With You So Long, And Yet You Do not Know Me?
VII. ON PRIESTS AND THE LACK OF PRIESTLY TENDERNESS
The Similarity Between a Consecrated Host and a Priest
VIII. HOW JESUS STILL TRIUMPHS TODAY THROUGH THE EUCHARIST
IX. HOW TO LIVE THE MASS!
Conclusion
Orders and Ministries founded by St. Manuel González García
Saint John Paul II in his homily on the beatification of Bishop Manuel Gonzalez Garcia states:
“This was the great passion of the new blessed, Bl. Manuel González García, Bishop of Malaga and later of Palencia. His experience before a deserted tabernacle in Palomares del Río was to mark his whole life, and from that moment he dedicated himself to spreading devotion to the Eucharist, proclaiming the words he subsequently chose as his epitaph: “Here is Jesus! He is here! Do not abandon him!” Bl. Manuel González, founder of the Misioneras Eucarísticas de Nazaret, is a model of Eucharistic faith whose example continues to speak to the Church today.”
Manuel Gonzalez Garcia was canonized on October 16th 2016. We are told in the preface that the writings of this saint are for the most part unknown by the church at large. The majority of his works are only available in Spanish, and a few in French. Hopefully this volume will inspire more people to work on translating them to bring them to the wider audience that need to hear these messages. We are tdol:
“St. Manuel was a prolific writer. In his writings, he always conveyed his extraordinary love for the Blessed Sacrament, providing a Eucharistic formation for the faithful, and especially for catechists and priests. In his pastoral work, the Eucharist was always the starting point of his teaching on spirituality, of his catechetical pedagogy, and in fact, of all his projects. St. Manuel believed that the Person of Christ in the Eucharist had to be the source, the center, and the summit of the Church’s evangelization and catechesis. He experienced the primacy of the Eucharistic mystery very deeply in every aspect of his personal life. Although he lived through a tragic time for the Church in Spain, he was ever capable of drawing hope from the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. He knew that as long as there were still generous souls willing to keep Christ company in Eucharistic Adoration, there was still great hope for the Church.”
I do not know how any Catholic could read this book and not come away with a deeper appreciation for the Eucharist. How they could not desire to spend more time with Christ, and find a way to spend more time in front of a tabernacle. This book will inspire, it will challenge and it will renew your faith.
This is a an incredible read. I will be keeping my eyes open for more books by Saint Manuel González García in English. And know that I will be reading this book again soon. If you want to grow your faith this year, I am certain this book will help you. SO pick it up and give it a read.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!
For a list of all books that are part of Father Mark Goring's Saint Mark’s School of Reading click here.
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