<P> Immediately following the Communion, Lazarus sits down with Angela and tells her that he has something he must tell her: Both Manuel and Lazarus have no faith in God, specifically no belief in an after - life . Angela is upset and incredulous but confronts Manuel about what Lazarus has said . In their conversation it becomes obvious that what Lazarus has said is accurate . Manuel believes that religion and the preaching of religion is the only way for the people to live contentedly--Lazarus through their talks had come to admire Manuel's determination to do what he thought was right despite his lack of belief in the veracity of what he taught . To that end, Lazarus felt it best to continue in the same way by returning to the fold . Although Angela questions the goodness of such a deed, Lazarus insists that Don Manuel is a saint for the things he has done all his life for the town . </P> <P> Manuel grows increasingly weak . He is unable to bear the weight of teaching the resurrection when he does not believe it is real . He falls further and further into a depression, which the townspeople see this as a reflection of Christ in their local priest . When Manuel dies he chooses to do so in public in the center of the town, and the people see him as their "second Christ ." Lazarus takes on Manuel's role until his own death . Angela moves out of town . However, she finishes her narration by positing that perhaps it was God's will all along that both Manuel and Lazarus believe themselves to be non-believers, since it helped them to do good in the world . Angela expresses the belief that right before Manuel and Lazarus died, "the blindfold might have fallen from their eyes ." The final chapter explains that Manuel is being considered for beatification and that he is being held up as the ideal and exemplar priest . </P>

Miguel de unamuno san manuel bueno mártir english