Venerable Voyagers!
This week I wanted to give a brief spiritual history behind our company name, VOYAGE.
When it became clear that we needed to form a company, I was drawn to the word "voyage" and its connection to the idea that we are all on the "voyage" of life.
In particular, I was inspired by the following words of St. Thérèse of Liseiux:
"It is true that in these periods of loneliness I sometimes felt sad, and I used often to console myself by repeating this line of a beautiful poem Papa had taught me: "The world is thy ship, not thy home.'"
She also added, "[T]he symbol of a ship always delights me and helps me to bear the exile of this life."
We are currently in a state of exile. We do not belong here. We were not made to dwell on this earth forever.
We were made for Heaven.
Sure we live on this earth, but it is not the end-goal. God desires that each of us love Him in return and we spend our entire lives learning how to love in hopes that our hearts will be ready to head back home.
Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien had a similar viewpoint that he infused into his fantasy writings, such as The Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion.
In the Silmarillion Tolkien calls the race of Men “Guests” and “Strangers.” Tolkien asserts that men are not created to dwell here forever, but to pass on to another realm where their heart can have true rest.
This idea that we are only “guests” is confirmed in a common term used by many Christians. Often when referring to a Christian congregation, the term “parish” is used. The Greek roots of this word stem from a Hellenistic term “paroikos” meaning “sojourners.” This term reminds Christians that they are called to live their lives as “strangers and pilgrims, refrain[ing]…from carnal desires which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11 Douay-Rheims).
A great summary of this analogy is found in an ancient commentary describing the symbolism when Christ takes His apostles and travels to the other side of the Lake of Gennesaret, calming a storm while they are at sea.
It reads:
“The sea is the turmoil of the world; the boat in which Christ is embarked is to be understood as the tree of the cross, by the aid of which the faithful having passed the waves of the world, arrive in their heavenly country, as on a safe shore, whither Christ goes with His own.” – Rabanus in Catena Aurea on Mt. 8:23-27
We are all on a VOYAGE and it my hope that our comics and books can help both young and old bear the exile of this life and to aspire to stay fixed on the tree of the cross so that they can arrive safely in a Heavenly Country.
Saints! Superheroes! Adventure!
Godspeed,
Philip Kosloski
Founder & CEO
Voyage Comics
Venerable Voyagers! Glad to see you on Locals! This is our "hub" for the Voyage Community.
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Out of the following list, which superhero most inspired you growing up? And if I didn't list one, put it in the comments!
Venerable Voyagers!
Well, since my last newsletter, MUCH has happened in the world! The Catholic Church has elected the next Successor to St. Peter, Pope Leo XIV!
I know this is "old news" by now, but it is still significant, as at Voyage, we will be looking to the new pope for inspiration and direction on how to encounter the modern world with the Gospel message.
While Pope Leo's pontificate is still in its early stages, he has already expressed his desire to address the ongoing digital revolution and the challenges of mass media.
One thing that stuck out to me in reading his first homily is his mention of "superman:"
Today, too, there are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman. This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptized Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism.
What he is addressing is the fact that many people (even Christians) think of Jesus as a "superman;" ...
