Getting to know you

Tonight, July 12, members of the two groups going to World Youth Day from the diocese (the Camino Group and the Diocesan Group) are gathering for an informational session and get-together. As the date for departure nears (less than one month now!), the more the anticipation grows. It will be a great treat to get to know the other pilgrims going on this trip.

World Youth Day registration high; many want to volunteer

Young people gather for a Mass and concert May 8 at an arena in Madrid, marking 100 days until the start of World Youth Day 2011. Preparations for the international event in Madrid are heating up and organizers are promising a "fiesta," adding a Spanish flavor to the traditional opportunities for prayer, friendship, music and religious education. (CNS photo/courtesy of World Youth Day 2011)

In Spain, pope to hold nine major meetings with young people

Puerta de Alcala in Madrid, the symbolic main entrance to the city, is lit in blue in this evening view showing a fountain with the goddess Cybele in Plaza de Cibeles Nov. 14. Pope Benedict XVI will enter Madrid through this entrance for an evening recep tion in the plaza during the Aug. 16-21, 2011, World Youth Day in Madrid. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

More than 60 US bishops expected to join World Youth Day pilgrims

Bishop W. Francis Malooly walks with teens as they carry the replica of the World Youth Day cross from St. Paul Church to St. Elizabeth Church during the Catholic youth cross pilgrimage in Wilmington, Del., April 16. Youths around the globe are preparing for the international World Youth Day in August. It will take place in Madrid, Spain, with Pope Benedict XVI. (CNS photo/Don Blake, The Dialog)

Pope to get manga comic treatment in time for World Youth Day

This is the cover of a 32-page Pope Benedict XVI manga comic book, which will be distributed in August during World Youth Day in Madrid. Jonathan Lin runs Manga Hero, which may well be the world's only publisher of Catholic manga comics. (CNS photo/court esy Manga Hero)

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Move over, Spider-Man. Here come some new comic-book heroes.

Among this new breed of heroes are Pope Benedict XVI, St. Paul and Old Testament figure Judith.

They are the stars of comic books done in a style older generations never saw in the comic-book rack at the neighborhood drugstore growing up. The genre is called manga, a Japanese genre of cartoons and comic books, and Jonathan Lin, who runs Manga Hero, may well be the world’s only publisher of Catholic manga comics.

Madison Diocese gearing up for World Youth Day

MADISON — Preparations are full steam ahead for our participation in the upcoming World Youth Day (WYD) Madrid 2011.The dates are August 8 to 24. The Diocese of Madison is teaming up with St. Paul University Catholic Center to sponsor this pilgrimage to Madrid.

Information about the two itineraries we are offering can be found on www.madisondiocese.org/wyd