I have often struggled with what to do during Adoration. What prayers should I say? Should I just sit and listen? Do I stare at Jesus on the cross? Last summer, my husband purchased a book whose title intrigued him. It arrived a month or so before our daughter was going to Malaga, Spain, for a 3-month Spanish language immersion program. I was nervous about her being away for that stretch of time, and I knew nothing of the area she was going to. The title of the book is What the Heart of Jesus Does and Says in the Tabernacle. Huh? I thought, He is there and He doesn’t do anything… I began reading and discovered a saint I hadn’t heard of before – St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia. And, as Providence would have it, St. Manuel was the former bishop of the very town my daughter was going to in Spain.
St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia was often referred to as the Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle. As I read the book, I was convicted by his simple, sincere words. “Jesus is here! He is here! Do not abandon Him!” This is also the epitaph on his headstone. As a young priest, he was on his first parish mission to Palomares del Rio. He had many high expectations of this first mission. He dreamt of faithful parishioners eager to hear his sermons, fervent rosaries, and Processions through the streets to Holy Mass to receive the sacred gift of Holy Communion. Upon his arrival, he met the sacristan at the parish, and He inquired about what it was like. With each answer, his hopes diminished, and he was at a loss for words. The biggest shock and sadness came upon entering the church. It looked extremely dirty, almost abandoned. The tabernacle was covered in dust and cobwebs, the altar cloths were torn and burnt by ash and melting wax. Wanting to run out and not return, he forced himself to kneel and figure out a way to proceed with the mission. In those moments, the goal of his entire priestly ministry was revealed. He sensed someone truly looking at him- Jesus. Jesus was also speaking to Fr. Manuel, telling him, “No one has room for me ‘at the inn.’ Souls are too busy with their lives to take even a moment to be with me.” Thus, Fr. Manuel’s work was given to him. He established several orders and ministries for the promotion of Eucharistic Adoration and reparation for souls’ abandonment of it.
After learning of St. Manuel’s story, I entrusted my daughter’s trip to him. I learned I need to show up and not abandon Him. I need to sit and love Him and repair my neglect of Him. I am thankful that we are fortunate here at St. Benedict Classical Academy to have our Lord residing in the tabernacle in our own chapel, and for every student to participate in Eucharistic Adoration at least once a month. I also witness students from the youngest grades through middle school dropping their backpacks and “popping” into the chapel to spend a few moments with the Lord every day. I witness students and teachers as they pass the doors of the chapel, nod or bless themselves, acknowledging and remembering that He is there.
Lord, may we never abandon you.
AUTHOR: Eileen Ford, Kindergarten Assistant
