TAMPA: DON BOSCO COMIC BOOK PUBLISHED

By Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB

(Tampa – July 5) – A full-length Don Bosco comic book has been printed and is now available. Our province is very proud that we have a brand new storybook on Don Bosco’s life. The publication comes to the Salesian Family of the St. Philip the Apostle Province from our mission in Tampa. The Salesians of Mary Help of Christians Center in Tampa put forth great effort to publish the comic book, which originally came out in France 75 years ago. Publication rights were purchased from the family of Joseph “Jijé” Gillain, and the translation into English was provided by Fr. Paul Grauls, SDB. The book is 108 pages and is packed with true stories from Don Bosco’s life.

Why a comic book on Don Bosco, and why now? Because the stories of our father and founder need to be told and re-told for future generations. More popular books about Don Bosco’s life can be shared. Don Bosco’s life is a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church and to the world. His life inspires young people to overcome obstacles through God’s grace and to trust God’s plan even when it’s not easy. The story of this great saint must still be told. It moves us toward holiness.

The comic book includes all the popular stories about one of the world’s greatest saints, such as:

his Guardian Angel dog, Grigio;

his carnival shows as an acrobat;

his Oratory boys who helped the victims of the cholera epidemic that spread throughout Europe;

his Oratory boys who attained the heights of holiness, especially Dominic Savio; and

his trust in Mary Help of Christians and the miracles that occurred through her intercession.