Manuel García Nieto

In 1929 or 1930, Father Nieto was appointed spiritual director at the Pontifical Seminary of Comillas, in Cantabria. This place became the center of his entire active life, where he remained until 1969. In addition to his duty of spiritual accompaniment of the seminarians, he taught pastoral theology as well as ascetical and mystical theology there. In 1932, under the Second Spanish Republic, the Society of Jesus was officially dissolved and expelled from Spain. However, at the express request of the Bishop of Santander, Father Nieto was authorized to remain in his post as spiritual director at Comillas. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) brought its share of trials. On August 12, 1936, while preaching a spiritual retreat to a group of priests, he was arrested by Republican militiamen along with his entire community. Imprisoned for a week in Santander, he morally supported his companions in misfortune. After his release, he had to live in hiding for five months, continuing to secretly accompany the dispersed seminarians and to exercise his ministry at the risk of his life. In 1937, by order of his superiors, he found refuge in Bilbao. It was during this troubled period, on February 2, 1937, that he pronounced his solemn and definitive vows in the Society of Jesus. Upon the reopening of the University of Comillas in August 1937, he resumed his duties as spiritual father to the students of philosophy and theology. Alongside his mission as a formator, he devoted himself body and soul to the most destitute of the region, which earned him the affectionate title of "father of the poor." He notably founded the "School of Fishermen" (Escuela de Pescadores) to offer basic instruction to local sailors and their children.

Father Nieto's reputation for holiness was established during his lifetime. Hundreds of priests and numerous Spanish bishops benefited from his spiritual direction and retreats. His life of prayer is legendary: he spent long hours, often a large part of the night, in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Starting in 1968, his health declined severely due to heart and lung problems. He passed away in Comillas on April 13, 1974, on Holy Saturday, at the age of 80. His funeral gathered an immense crowd of faithful and priests who came to pay him a final tribute. Initially buried in Comillas, his body was transferred in 1985 to a chapel in the parish church of the Miracle of Saint Joseph (Iglesia del Milagro de San José) in Salamanca, maintained by the Jesuits, where the faithful continue to come to pray at his tomb.

After his death, the Society of Jesus officially introduced his cause for beatification and canonization. The diocesan phase of the inquiry into his life and virtues was successfully completed, and the file was transmitted to Rome. On February 12, 2019, Pope Francis received in audience Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Manuel García Nieto. By this act, he was officially declared Venerable. His cause is currently ongoing, awaiting the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession, a necessary step for his future beatification.

The spirituality of Father Manuel García Nieto is deeply Eucharistic, priestly, and turned towards the poor. He conceived the priesthood as a total gift of self and an act of permanent love towards Christ. Despite a physical appearance considered unappealing and fragile health, he radiated an immense spiritual beauty and a great kindness that attracted souls. His legacy endures through the generations of priests he trained in Comillas and the constant devotion he receives in Spain, particularly in his native region of Salamanca and in Cantabria.