The 1st part is a manual to help one organize one’s thoughts so that the homily / sermon /lesson is moving and effective, that is, reaching the hearts of the listeners as they like to hear it delivered. He used the principles in the manual, while teaching Homiletics at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, CA. He has given Preaching Better workshops to priests and/or deacons in the Diocese of San Jose, Stockton, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego, as well as for the Food for the Poor organization.
Parts 2, 3, and 4 form a collection of my best homilies from the time I was pastor of Christ the King (CTK) Parish in San Diego, California, and Most Holy Trinity (MHT). I spent 12 1/2 years at Christ the King, a bi-lingual, tri-cultural parish (Black, Hispanic, & Caucasian), and 10 years as pastor of Most Holy Trinity Church in San Jose, CA, a parish with 5 cultures (Vietnamese, Filipino, Hispanic, Samoan, and Caucasian) and 4 languages (Vietnamese, Tagalog, Spanish, and English) where 7200 attended Mass every weekend.
This Book contains a collection of 186 homilies for the entire 3-year Church cycle (A, B, and C) in the Catholic Lectionary. The book also contains an exhaustive bibliography of preaching resources for further study and preparation.
A Jesuit since 1980, Fr. Eddie spent most of his 32 years in Ordained Ministry in parish work, 18 years as pastor of Christ the King San Diego and Most Holy Trinity San Jose. He holds a Masters in Divinity and Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. His preaching has been effective in parishes in Spain, Mexico, and Uruguay. When his words are translated into Tagalog and Vietnamese, and when the homilies are delivered in English, with the translations given out, they are just as effective in those cultures as his own Hispanic Culture and his American English Culture. He sends out his weekly homilies to over 1500 people in both languages each week.
Presently, he is the Director of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of San Diego, after spending 4 years with the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange, working with the Aspirants and Candidates for the Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of Orange, CA.
BOOK REVIEWS
If You Preach It, They Will Come
Title: If You Preach It, They Will Come: Preaching The Word For Year A, B, And C As Listeners Like It
Author: Eduardo A. Samaniego
Publisher: Ewings Publishing LLC
ISBN: 979-8890319340
Pages: 394
Genre: Christian
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.
Hollywood Book Reviews
If You Preach It, They Will Come: Preaching The Word For Years A, B, And C As Listeners Like It, is a revolutionary Christian resource written by Eduardo A. Samaniego. It comprises 186 sermons which the author deems significant from a three-year Lectionary Readings cycle. Having served in the ordained ministry for thirty-one years, he hopes this book will inspire preachers globally to craft incredibly impactful and fruitful sermons.
According to Samaniego, for ages the Church has witnessed homilies that are mostly performances rather than compelling and inspirational sermons. Only a small number of them have been truly remarkable. In his view, engaging the congregation, grabbing their attention, and offering examples that clearly illustrate and relate to the listener’s experience are all necessary to not only influence the audience with the sermon but also to inspire a stronger feeling of faith, hope, and love. He claims to do all of this and more, preachers need to become experts in telling riveting stories, much like Jesus, whom he compares to a master storyteller.
Samaniego employs Personality Typing to highlight the range of people’s perspectives while pleading with the preacher to always consider how each individual listens. In addition, he offers practical tips to help preachers hone their craft, as well as questions geared to assess their passion. His use of public speaking standards has enabled him to deliver some of the most memorable sermons, which are featured in this unique preacher’s handbook. “Mission Possible,”” Glow With The Flow,” “An Event Or An Experience,” “The Vine That Comforts,” “Teach Like The Master,” and “Be patient! God Ain’t Done With Me Yet!” are a few of them.
This book will transform boring church services into moments of grace that are passionate, inspiring, and full of faith. The author’s query in the opening pages, “Why not use the principles of good public speaking as one prepares to let God speak through the preacher, and why not adopt the principles that dynamic worldly speakers and holy preachers have used for years?” drew me in right away and sparked my curiosity. It has easy-to-follow guidelines and is straightforward to follow. It is one of the most useful pastoral handbooks I have ever come across, and it stands out for providing a methodical approach to homily organization that can be tailored to the preacher’s style preference.
If preachers follow the advice of “If You Preach It, They Will Come: Preaching The Word For Years A, B, And C As Listeners Like It,” sermons may once again be incredibly engaging and pleasant for listeners in the twenty-first century. It greatly encourages creativity and proper preparation, making it one of the core ministry books that every preacher should own.
BIOGRAPHY
I am the oldest of nine born on June 5, 1950 of Eduardo Jose Samaniego and Enriqueta Revilla. I grew up in Los Angeles, where I graduated from St. Gregory's elementary school, Loyola High School, and U.S.C. I taught Jr. Hi (2 years) and at Loyola High (3 years) before entering the Jesuits in Sept. 1980. My formation took me to Madrid, Spain, and Berkeley, CA, and was ordained in June 1990. I worked mainly in Parishes until 2014, when I worked at the Loyola Institute for Spirituality (LIS) until my present position as Director of the Permanent Diaconate (2019 till the present.
Fr. Eduardo A. Samaniego, S.J
BOOK TRAILER
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Dear Dr. John,
Thank you for your post. I feel humbled by your words. I pray that we can get preachers to read this and use it to help them develop this craft of preaching, and know that they will reach the listener/reader. Thanks again. God be with you.
Fr. Eddie
This book was recommended by my cousin Lee Fenandez. All I can say's Parts 2, 3, and 4 showcase the author's mastery through a collection of his best homilies. From the vibrant multicultural tapestry of Christ, the King Parish to the diverse congregations at Most Holy Trinity Church, each homily reflects profound pastoral insight and cultural sensitivity. With 186 homilies spanning the entire 3-year Church cycle, this compendium is not just a resource but a treasury for clergy adhering to the Catholic Lectionary.
Thank you for sharing your homilies, Father Eddie. Thank you also for being a beacon of hope!!!
I am Christian and the book includes an exhaustive bibliography, providing preachers with further resources to enhance their preaching skills. This combination of practical guidance, extensive homilies, and additional resources makes "If You Preach It, They Will Come" an indispensable tool for clergy. Extensive Collection: With 186 homilies covering the entire Church cycle, the book serves as a comprehensive resource for sermon preparation throughout the liturgical year. Kodus! Alisha Hannigan
This book came across to my email blast last week. "If You Preach It, They Will Come: Preaching The Word For Year A, B, And C As Listeners Like It" by Fr. Eddie is a comprehensive and practical guide for preachers aiming to deliver impactful sermons. Combining practical advice with a rich collection of culturally sensitive homilies, this book serves as an essential resource for sermon preparation. I recommend this book to my colleagues and will buy this book soon.
I love this book.
"If You Preach It, They Will Come: Preaching The Word For Year A, B, And C As Listeners Like It" by Fr. Eddie is an essential resource for anyone involved in preaching or sermon preparation. This book stands out for its dual approach: offering both a practical manual and a rich collection of homilies.
The manual section is a treasure trove of insights and techniques that can transform ordinary sermons into powerful, heart-touching messages. Fr. Eddie's experience shines through in his clear, practical advice, which is grounded in years of teaching Homiletics and leading workshops. His strategies for organizing thoughts and delivering messages that resonate with listeners are invaluable. -Dr. John Pugh