'Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.' Richard Francis Xavier Manning, better known to legions of faithful readers as author, speaker, and contemplative Brennan Manning, for whom grace was irresistible, completed his earthly journey on Friday, April 12 at 12:10AM. He is now resting safe in the arms of his Abba. Brennan was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended St. John's University for two years then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a sports writer for the USMC newspaper. He graduated from Saint Francis College and went on to complete four years of advanced studies in theology. He graduated from Saint Francis Seminary and was ordained to the Franciscan priesthood in May of 1963. Brennan's ministry responsibilities varied greatly. He served as a theology instructor and campus minister at the University of Steubenville. He worked as the liturgy instructor and spiritual director at St. Francis Seminary. He lived and worked among the poor in Europe and the U.S. Brennan began writing in earnest in the 1970s. One book soon followed another. Invitations for him to speak and to lead spiritual retreats multiplied exponentially. He spent the remainder of his life traveling widely as he continued to write and preach, encouraging men and women everywhere to accept and embrace the good news of God's unconditional love in Jesus Christ. He wrote many influential and popular books, including The Ragamuffin Gospel, Abba's Child, The Parable of Willie Juan and Ruthless Trust. His final book was his memoir, All is Grace. Brennan was the son of the late Emmett and Amy Manning. His sister, Geraldine Rubino and her husband, Art, survives him. His will be deeply missed by his nieces and nephews: Amy Sweeney and her husband, Pat; Kevin Manning and his wife, Catherine; Patrick Manning; Kathleen Stanley; Mary Feinman and her husband, Stuart; Kerry Betlesky and her husband, Scott; Erin Embon and her husband, Dan; Sean Rubino and his wife, Laurie, Tim Rubino and Meghan Lozano and her husband, Jim. His sixteen grand-nieces and grand-nephews will also miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: The Church of St. Rose St. Vincent DePaul Society Seventh Avenue Belmar, NJ 07719 Visitation will be on Wednesday April 17 from 4 to 8PM at Ely Funeral Home, 3316 Route 33, and Neptune. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 18 at 10:00AM at the Church of Saint Rose, 603 Seventh Avenue, Belmar NJ. Committal will follow at Saint Anne's Cemetery, Wall Twp. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Reilly - Bonner Funeral Home, Belmar NJ. To send a memorial gift to the family of Richard Xavier Manning please visit our Sympathy Store.