Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a saint?
A saint is a disciple of Jesus Christ, who lived a life of extraordinary fidelity to Him. The Saints are people who were united to God in this life and who strove to do His will in everything, devoting themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor. They lived the virtues to a heroic degree and give us shining examples of: faith, hope, and love, both of God and every human being; prudence (or practical wisdom), justice, fortitude (or courage), and temperance (or self-mastery); detachment, purity, and obedience; humility, simplicity and magnanimity. Each saint is distinguished for particular virtue and for this reason, the Church proposes them as friends and companions in our following of Christ, as models to imitate, and as intercessors with God. Blessed Manuel Gonzalez was known for his love for Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament and his whole-hearted and free service to the poor, families and individuals a virtue which lifted the hearts of many to God and inspired many to imitate him. 2. What is beatification/ canonization? The canonization of a saint is a solemn act by which the Pope, the supreme authority in the Catholic Church, declares that a person practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace, is with God in heaven and is to be venerated throughout the whole Church. The Pope enrolls the person on the list of Saints. Another word for list is “canon,” hence the term “canonization.” The expression, “raised to the altars,” often used as an equivalent of “canonization,” means that the person is assigned a feast day in the yearly schedule of the Church’s liturgical celebrations. This assigning of a feast day is done at the time of beatification. Beatification is a step in the process of canonization. By it the Pope allows public veneration of the person in the local Church, within the religious congregation with which he or she was associated, and in other places by those who receive such permission. Note the difference: a Saint should be honored in liturgical celebrations by the universal, that is, the whole Church, whereas a “Blessed” may be so honored in certain places. Blessed Manuel was beatified on 29 April 2001 by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s square in Rome. He is honored in all the dioceses in Spain and by all the members of the religious family he founded, the Union Eucaristica Reparadora. 3. What is a Miracle? Miracle A miracle is an extraordinary event, which is scientifically inexplicable and, in a cause for canonization, is directly attributable to the intercession of the Servant of God. In the causes of saints, the miracles investigated are usually cures, because they are more easily documented. Miracles and graces or favours, granted after prayers to the Servant of God, serve as evidence that God Himself is the origin of that person’s reputation of holiness. A miracle is a sign of divine approval. Miracles confirm that it is God who has aroused in the faithful the opinion that a particular Servant of God is worthy of canonization. An event proposed as a miracle is subjected to a thorough scientific investigation by experts. For beatification one authentic miracle must be recognized as obtained through the intercession of the Servant of God. 4. What is the Status of His Canonization Today? From Blessed to Saint A Servant of God who is beatified is called “Blessed.” The Blessed may be canonized after the occurrence of one more miracle attributed to his or her intercession. In Bl. Manuel's cause, we are waiting for a second miracle required for the canonization. The Purpose of Canonization. By honouring its children who lived as heroes of faith and love, the Church recognizes the power of the Holy Spirit within her. Saints give us joy; their example sustains our hope; and their friendship increases our love and union with God and with each other. A canonization is a way of giving thanks to God as we honor the person who has been so faithful to God’s plan in his or her life. 5. What is feast day? The feast day of a saint or a blessed is a day set apart by the Church at the time of Beatification for giving special honor to the particular saint or blessed. On this day, we celebrate the memory of the Blessed or Saint, honouring his or her life, work and virtue and offer thanks to God for the wonders He has accomplished in history through this particular saint. In commemorating the feast of a Blessed or a Saint, we rejoice in the gift of his/her life lived for God in the service of His people and his/ her birth into heaven. We also draw inspiration and strength from the example of their virtues and unique gifts. The main celebration of a feast day lies in the Mass and other prayers where the Blessed or the Saint is mentioned by name or honoured; since they are closely united to God in heaven, we ask them to intercede for our needs before the throne of God and to help us on our path to union with Him. The joy of the celebration of a feast is also expressed in other festive ways (including religious and cultural events and offering something special to the poor ). The feast of Blessed Manuel Gonzalez is on January 4th. Our preparation for his feast includes nine days of prayer. We look to him as a model of love for God and neighbor, a beacon of light and hope, a friend and intercessor and most of all, as our friendly Bishop whose, help and guidance we can still count on. 6. Where is the Blessed Manuel Gonzalez Garcia Buries? The mortal remains of Blessed Manuel are in a marble-covered stone tomb Below the Tabernacle of the Cathedral of Palencia, Spain 7. Can I obtain a First class relic of Blessed Manuel Gonzalez Garcia for my private devotion? No. First Class relics are only given to Churches or Religious Communities with great devotion to Bl. Manuel Gonzalez. Request for first class relics for Churches or parishes must be accompanied by written authorization from the local bishop. "I ask to be buried next to a Tabernacle, so that my bones, after death, as my tongue and my pen in life, are saying to those who pass: there is Jesus! There it is! Do not let him abandoned! Immaculate mother, San Juan, Santas Marias, take my soul to eternal with the heart of Jesus in heaven."
- Blessed Manuel Gonzalez Garcia - |
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