A message delivered last January 6, 2010 at the Comic Book Launching on "The Life and Times of St. Arnold Janssen"
Hi. I’m Karl, and as you know I’m the illustrator and the author of the first part of the Arnold Janssen Comic Book. It is when Arnold was still young and struggling with his life, trying to prepare to pave a path and making his way to the top. This comic book is about his life, his ups and downs, his accomplishments and failures, his strong relationship with God and fellowmen and his willingness and faith on journeying and carrying his life’s mission. In reading Arnold’s story, I became aware of the contents of his life, his works and deeds. There are many eventful parts in his life like his 1st communion and graduation. And there are also unfortunate times like when he had to repeat a year and his friends getting drunk. But I came to know that the more significant parts are when he tried to be responsible for his drunken friends and stayed away from bars and tobacco. Just like us Arnold is not perfect, he makes mistakes, but he tried to be humble in life and live by the good values of humanity. That’s why Arnold Janssen himself is my inspiration in the making of the comics. He showed me that you should never give up, learn to stand up when you fall and be humble. He inspired me, drove me to draw and write from start up to the finish. He made me believe that we can conquer our problems and stand strong to face another one. That’s why Arnold Janssen is real, real enough to influence people more than two centuries after his death and that by reading his story, you are also sharing and living his life.