Manuel González García (bishop)

Manuel González García (1877-1940) was a Spanish Roman Catholic bishop, founder of the Eucharistic Missionary Sisters of Nazareth and other related religious orders. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Born in Seville, Spain, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1901. He was assigned as a parish priest to Palomares del Río, where he discovered a neglected tabernacle, an experience that profoundly affected him and shaped his future ministry. This encounter instilled in him a deep devotion to the Eucharist and a desire to promote Eucharistic adoration and reparation.

González García was appointed Bishop of Málaga in 1920, a position he held until 1931. During his tenure, he focused on the catechesis of the poor, the promotion of Catholic education, and the care of orphans. He was known for his humility, charity, and dedication to his flock.

In 1931, due to the political climate in Spain, he was forced into exile and appointed Titular Bishop of Olba. He spent the remaining years of his life in Madrid, where he continued to write and preach about the Eucharist.

He founded several religious congregations, including the Eucharistic Missionary Sisters of Nazareth, dedicated to Eucharistic adoration and the education of children. These orders work to spread devotion to the Eucharist and serve the poor and marginalized.

Manuel González García died in 1940. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2016. His feast day is celebrated on January 4th. He is often referred to as the "Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle" due to his unwavering devotion to the Eucharist.