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In the hospital, the chaplain normally gave Communion to his mother. 

Manuel also wanted to receive Jesus. 

Everyone said that he was too small, because he was only six years old. But because of his persistence, his maturity in the faith, and his alarming physical condition, he received permission from the Bishop of Trapani. On October 13th, 2007, he received his First Communion. 

Nevertheless, the long awaited day did not begin well. When he woke up, he had terrible pains in his leg that impeded him from getting out of bed, and he was afraid that he would not be able to make it to the chapel. At midday, against all odds, the pain disappeared. 

This is how Manuel explained it: 'Our Lady told me, ‘Manuel can’t receive Jesus limping [mankend].’ So, she did magic and cured me. Thank you, Virgin Mary of my heart.' 

The Mass for his First Communion was very reverent and full of love. He later wrote on a holy card: 'I want to receive Jesus in my heart, so that He can become my best friend forever. He will be my strength, my joy, my cure.'

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He said to his priest and religious friends: 

'Do you know why I wanted to receive Communion so young? I wanted so badly to receive Communion in my heart, because when I couldn’t receive it, I was very sad and it made me cry. That day I was happy.' 

He later asked the bishop: 'Bishop, can you please tell your priests to leave at least five minutes of silence after Communion, so we can talk and listen to Jesus in our heart? Think of the last person who receives Communion—he doesn’t even have time to say ‘hi’ to Jesus!'

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In another letter... 

little Manuel explained why he felt that he urgently needed to write: 

'Jesus is present in the Eucharist. 

He lets Himself be seen and felt in Holy Communion. 

You don’t believe it? Try to concentrate without getting distracted. Close your eyes, pray, and speak - because Jesus will listen to you and speak to your heart. Don’t open your eyes right away, because this communication will be interrupted and it won’t come back! 

Learn to be in silence and something wonderful will happen: 

a bomb of grace!'

[bron]