(ANS – Brasilia) – The Salesian schools Network (RSE) has began to publish the "Evangelis" comic book series this year, an initiative that aims to tell the story of Jesus to the students in the schools and in Salesian social works.

Aware of the success of the typical Japanese ‘Manga’ variety of comics among young Brazilians, the RSE, the body that oversees about 120 educational institutions belonging to the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters in Brazil, launched "Evangelis" as this year's project.

The first issue of the series, out of a total of four volumes, titled "Hope is born" has already been released in recent months. The lively designs and eye-catching text in the book, are used to narrate the proclamation and birth of John the Baptist, the meeting between the Archangel Gabriel and Mary, the search by the Magi, the Birth of Jesus, the wickedness of Herod and the flight into Egypt.

"The intention of the "Evangelis" project is to present the richness of the Biblical World in an attractive and appealing way to reach Salesian school students," said Antonio Boeing, pastoral leader in the RSE.

The comic book author is Herbert Barbosa, a ‘Manga’ enthusiast since childhood, who saw the possibility of bringing young people into contact with the Word of God through this project. In 2006, after drawing an icon of Jesus, he got the idea of creating an entire publication which would tell the whole story of Jesus Christ. "I've always liked the ‘Manga’, like many young people and adults. The ‘Manga’ is fun, attractive, easy to read and understand. It uses many ways to convey the message in a very fresh and different way", he says.

The second volume of the book, "The Good News", is currently at the end of the production phase and will be distributed in early 2013. It will tell us about the first miracles of Jesus and the temptations of Satan in the desert.

Published 18/12/2012