There are many ways to evangelize without having to engage in long discussions or take a deep dive into Catholic theology.
Tom Goodman wants to reach young people in particular on their level of understanding with t-shirts that depict angels and saints resembling superheroes.
If kids are infatuated with Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk and Iron Man, Goodman believes that they would be inclined to identify with a Catholic angel or saint who resembles the modern-day characters that they see virtually everywhere.
For years, the Marysville Our Lady of Lourdes Church parishioner has worked to get his “Defenders of Truth – Saints in Action” idea off the ground. After tweaking the design and searching for a partner to manufacture and distribute the shirts, his vision is about to be realized.
He connected with Nelson Enterprises, a Catholic family-owned business based in Steubenville, to produce and sell the t-shirts, which will be available to order online at CatholictotheMax.com.
“It is through our youth that the Catholic Church needs to focus,” Goodman said. “Bring families back to the Church, encouraging vocations.”
Goodman, who owns a horticultural sales and marketing company outside of Marysville, has financed the project on his own and plans to donate all of the proceeds from the shirts, which will sell for $20 each, to pro-life and Catholic-related causes that include support for vocations and charities.
Working with The Catholic Foundation, he set up a donor-advised fund at https://catholic-foundation.org/giving/existing-funds/the-superhero-saints-project-donor-advised-fund/ that can be accessed to support the project or become a patron.
The first shirt in the series will represent St. Michael the Archangel, which is apropos considering Goodman has a special passion for spreading devotion to the celestial protector.
And the rollout comes just in time for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, which this year falls on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Goodman has incorporated an incredible amount of detail and symbolism into his vision for the St. Michael design. He commissioned the professional artwork to be done through AdMeyer Creations’ Matt Meyer, a fellow parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes in Marysville.
The three diamonds found in the image on St. Michael’s wrist armor symbolize the Holy Trinity. The seven stars on the top left column behind him are similar to the stars found on Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Tilma and also represent the seven sacraments and seven days of creation.
The eight stars on the top of the right column behind St. Michael embody joy, the resurrection and the eight beatitudes. The 12 rivets on the shield stand for the 12 apostles, the 12 tribes of Israel and the crown of 12 stars on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s head. The latter refers to Chapter 12 in the Book of Revelation when a woman appeared in the sky with a crown of 12 stars and a war broke out in heaven with St. Michael and the angels battling the dragon, who is called the devil.
The 20 bars behind St. Michael make up the gates of heaven that St. Michael is defending and also represent the 20 mysteries of the rosary. The cherub angels on top of the columns are replicas of the same angels found on columns located in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
Goodman is hoping that Catholic schools, parish groups, schools of religion, parents, grandparents, relatives and friends will support his mission, which is aimed at making a positive impact on youth while drawing them closer to the faith.
“It will be better to see these t-shirts rather than the not-so-pleasant t-shirts we see worn throughout our society,” he said.
Goodman doesn’t plan to stop with St. Michael the Archangel. As part of his “Defenders of Truth – Saints in Action” superhero concept, he hopes to follow with a St. Joan of Arc shirt and then the three archangels, Michael, Raphael and Gabriel.
He’d also like to see a revolution of increased devotion to St. Michael for protection against the devil through recitation of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer.
“We must stand up against evil and the Evil One,” Goodman said. “We can’t be weak-kneed, lukewarm people. We must have courage.
“Keep in mind that this is not a battle of the flesh and bone. It is a battle of the spirit.
“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.”