MADRID, Spain, MARCH 29, 2011 (Zenit.org).- For World Youth Day pilgrims and residents of the host city who do not know much about Benedict XVI, the manga cartoon “Habemus Papam!” seeks to provide an introduction to his life.
Manga comics are a Japanese-style cartoon enjoying international popularity. A California-based company, Manga Hero, is producing “Habemus Papam!” with plans to print 300,000 in English and Spanish to be distributed around Madrid during World Youth Day.
Producer Jonathan Lin told World Youth Day organizers that the comic “is to introduce Pope Benedict XVI to those who may not know much about him, except that he is the leader of the Catholic Church.”
The story details the Holy Father’s collaboration with his predecessor and culminates in his election to the See of Peter.
“We hope the manga acts as a fun platform for people to learn more about the Holy Father and realize that the Church is relevant, visible and active in modern culture,” Lin said.
Manga Hero has also produced comics on the biblical personage Judith, and on St. Paul.
Global rosary
World Youth Day organizers are inviting participants to join in a truly global rosary, which will be prayed during the Saturday vigil before the Pope arrives.
Participants are invited to send a video of one of the rosary prayers (the Our Father, Hail Mary or Glory Be) in their language of choice, prayed either individually or in a group.
“The final composition will be, prayer by prayer, a round-the-world trip through the rosary,” organizers explained.
Japan has already participated by sending a Hail Mary prayed by a group of grade school children.
Contributions should be sent to www.rosariouniversal.org, where the videos along the rosary chain can be viewed.
In prayer with Spain
The Way of the Cross led by the Pope during World Youth Day will give pilgrims a taste of Spanish devotion to the passion and death of Christ.
The 700-meter (almost half-mile) path between Plaza de Cibeles and Plaza de Colón will be the venue for the Via Crucis.
The 15 stations will be provided by 12 Spanish cities, in a show of how the passion of Christ is lived in the host country.
In most Spanish cities, Holy Week is characterized by confraternities and religious organizations leading mass processions through the streets with sculptures and statues, some dating back to the 16th century.
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For more information on these three activities: www.madrid11.com/en/news
