Each year on October 28, the Church honors two lesser-known Apostles, Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddeus. Their names might not appear as often in Scripture as Peter or John, yet their quiet faith continues to echo across centuries, especially in moments when life feels impossible.
For many Catholics, Saint Jude has become a spiritual companion in times of desperation. He’s the Apostle you call on when all the stoplights turn red, the deadlines loom, and hope seems just out of reach. I’ve learned that firsthand.
The Apostle with Many Names
The Gospels refer to him in several ways: “Jude Thaddeus,” “Judas the son of James,” and sometimes “Thaddaeus” alone. In his own short New Testament letter, he simply calls himself “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James.”
Pope Benedict XVI reflected on this humble introduction, noting that Jude’s identity wasn’t found in his status as an Apostle but in his relationships—to Christ, to his brother, and to the faith. He was, in every sense, a man of communion.
Last October, I missed celebrating the Feast of Saint Luke. It wasn’t intentional; life just got busy. Between teaching, family life, and parish commitments, October 18th quietly slipped past. But ever since then, I’ve felt an unmistakable pull to know this Gospel writer more deeply, not just as the “beloved physician,” but as the evangelist of mercy, faith, and ordered reason.
As someone with a background in history, I’ve always admired Luke’s approach to truth. His Gospel begins not with poetry or mystery, but with method: an introduction that reads like a historian’s preface. “Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative… I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus…” (Luke 1:1–3). He’s transparent about his sources and his purpose so that we may “realize the certainty” of our faith.
There’s something deeply comforting in that. Luke reminds us that Christianity isn’t a myth or an emotional movement; it’s a faith rooted in reality, built on eyewitnesses and examined testimony. Saint John Paul II beautifully captured this when he wrote that Luke “leads us to knowledge of the discreet yet penetrating light that radiates from the Word.” Luke gives us not just the facts of salvation history but the warmth of faith that makes those facts alive.
Welcome to another The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies! Growing up, one of my favorite parts of Sunday was flipping to the comics section of the newspaper: a little pocket of humor, color, and light-heartedness to start the week.
Now, in that same spirit, I’m excited to share this weekly collection of wholesome, funny Catholic comic strips. Thanks to the incredible talents of artists like Father Alvaro Comics, The Catholic Cartoonist, Sam Estrada, Tomics, and Fr. Michael DeBlanc. These comics bring a joyful twist to our shared faith, reminding us that laughter is one of God’s great gifts.
Welcome to another The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies! Growing up, one of my favorite parts of Sunday was flipping to the comics section of the newspaper: a little pocket of humor, color, and light-heartedness to start the week.
Now, in that same spirit, I’m excited to share this weekly collection of wholesome, funny Catholic comic strips. Thanks to the incredible talents of artists like Father Alvaro Comics, The Catholic Cartoonist, Sam Estrada, Tomics, and Fr. Michael DeBlanc. These comics bring a joyful twist to our shared faith, reminding us that laughter is one of God’s great gifts.
Enjoy Catholic comics!
You can follow Fr. Michael on Instagram: @patermichaeldeblanc and on Facebook Fr. Michael DeBlanc).
I hope this week’s edition of The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies brought a smile to your face and a bit of lightness to your Sunday. In a world that can often feel heavy, it’s good to pause, laugh, and see our faith reflected in simple moments of joy.
Be sure to check back next week for more Catholic humor — and as always, feel free to share with a friend who could use a laugh and a little grace.
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Christian Salem via phone call on August 7th, 2025. Some of the questions/answers have been rearranged, edited, and paraphrased to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
The Coptic Catholic Church traces its origins to St. Mark the Evangelist. How does this apostolic heritage shape the spiritual life and identity of Coptic Catholics today?
When St. Mark brought the Gospel to Egypt, he gave us the foundation for a Church rooted in apostolic faith. After his martyrdom, the community he formed blossomed into a vibrant ascetical tradition, giving rise to saints like Anthony the Great, Cyril of Alexandria, and Athanasius, whose lives of prayer, fasting, and theological brilliance shaped Coptic spirituality for centuries.
You can see how this heritage lives on today in the Coptic Catholic Church’s liturgy, monastic ideals, and steadfast witness, preserving the same faith St. Mark entrusted to Alexandria.
The Coptic Catholic Church uses ancient liturgies like those of St. Mark, St. Cyril, St. Gregory, and St. Basil. What are some distinctive elements of the Coptic Catholic Mass that a Roman Catholic might find striking?
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Sophia Chamblee via phone call on August 9th, 2025. Some of the questions/answers have been rearranged, edited, and paraphrased to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
What inspired you to start Playground Saints?
I think the inspiration started up around Covid. I noticed people starting up these small businesses. It started as an Etsy stop with bookmarks. The bookmarks were like a humble beginning. I really like stickers and I noticed that other shops prioritized stickers. I wanted to have stickers as my own.
After I graduated college, I got a printer and cricut. I use an app call Design Space.
What saints did you begin with for your stickers?
I use the same designs of Padre Pio, and Therese of Lisieux, and Mama Mary as when I began.
Thomas Aquinas and Martin de Porres and Rose of Lima were original saints that I have later upgraded the designs.
Your logo, “Mama Mary and Son,” has such a warm, whimsical feel. What was your inspiration?
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Tom Gould via phone call on June 11th, 2025. Some of the questions/answers have been rearranged, edited, and paraphrased to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
You’ve been faithfully posting a new comic every Friday since 2014, what inspired that commitment?
I graduated from John Paul the Great Catholic University in California. Matt Martinusen was starting a Catholic men’s blog called The Catholic Fellows. He thought it would be fun to start a comic for the Men’s blog. While the other writers moved on, Matt encouraged me to continue. There wasn’t a meaning to Friday at first, it was originally a deadline for the blog. But as I continued Tomics after the blog ceased, I figured I would keep posting on Fridays as that day has significance for us as Catholics.
How has your creative process evolved over the years?
I think I definitely look stuff up more. It used to mostly be Bible puns, but now I like to use the knowledge I have or acquire to teach the faith. So I’ll be more careful when looking up stuff. I use a Wacom Tablet, and I like to handwrite the lettering. I found a free website where I could turn my handwriting into a font, and have turned my handwriting into a font to save time. It helps with spacing and sizing of letters. I have tried to both streamline and keep the process personalized.
Your comics bring Scripture to life with humor and visual storytelling. How do you strike the balance between being reverent and being funny—especially when depicting scenes with Jesus and the apostles?
That’s a tough one. There are certain lines I don’t cross and not everyone is going to agree with where that line is. My approach to humor is to invite people into the stories. It’s trying to encourage people to the Gospel but understanding that people often think in turns of puns and jokes. I try to make the apostles look silly during the Gospels because they were bumbling fools at times in the Gospels. I don’t do that with Jesus and I don’t recharacterize individuals from how they are portrayed in the Bible.
You occasionally dive into the Old Testament and the lives of the saints. What’s been one of your favorite “non-Gospels” comics to create, and why?
For the Old Testament, in the story of Adam and Eve I portrayed Satan as a sock-puppet. Besides that, Moses puns are fun. The Israelites are freed from slavery and can’t help but complain soon after. Like what’s God done for us lately? I dial up the denseness about Exodus and the Israelites to point out the ridiculousness of their complaints.
Here’s the sock-puppet Satan popping up again in the New Testament this time.
You contributed artwork to the Council at Daybreak game from The Catholic Card Game. What was that collaboration like, and how did your style fit into the world of Catholic tabletop gaming?
Matt had made the Catholic Card Game already. He was great with reaching out to people to collaborate with. He got Fr. Mike Schmitz and Pints with Aquinas to make suggestions for the cards.
A few years later Matt had this idea to make a Catholic Mafia game (based on One Night Werewolf). This game was more illustration focused. I had fun making this game! Matt had all the names of the cards and concepts. I gave him a few test things and he either approved them or added adjustments. I was pretty free to design the cards/characters how I envisioned them.
If a young Catholic artist approached you wanting to evangelize through comics or visual storytelling, what advice would you give them—spiritually and artistically?
That’s a tough one, but I think definitely being knowledgeable about the faith. I have to relook up stuff about Catholicism to make sure I get it right. Before college, I had my Catechism. During college I had philosophy courses to help build up the faith. Nowadays, I look up things in the Bible, the Catechism, and Catholic Answers. I think I take for granted at times how valuable having this knowledge is.
Another thing is not to wait until the art is perfect to start. I think having a deadline where you have to post something helps you get over perfectionism. And the main thing is you are serving God in your art. As long as you are trying to represent the faith well and God well that’s the main thing.
Be open to criticism if you get the theology wrong.
Who do you consider your patron saint?
For my work and my confirmation saint is Lawrence. I connected with the gallow’s humor and his story is short and almost fairy tale like.
The Holy Family is another one I pray to a lot especially as I draw comics about them. Mary and Joseph are the two saints physically closest to Jesus.
Another saint that’s connected to me a lot is Joan of Arc. Her story is a strange place where theology sticks itself with history. Joan brings God into the reality of the war between France and England. Saints that have a very clear space in history help me.
Anytime I do a comic about a particular saint I ask them for intercession.
Where’s the best place for my audience to read your comics?
Instagram is where I am most active and I like the formatting. I think the slides are nice.
I’m a lifelong cartoonist from a big Catholic family. My art was inspired by animated superhero shows and the ever-popular “Peanuts” and “Calvin & Hobbes” comic strips; my faith was formed by my parents, several church communities, and my small Catholic college. I’ve been posting weekly “Tomics” for just over ten years now, and I hope to continue using my gifts to bring people closer to God in a way that’s accessible, faithful, and fun.
