The publishers of fine Catholic graphic novels over at Voyage Comics are at it again, illuminating the life of another inspiring religious figure, this time a priest from Civil War-era New York: Venerable Father Nelson Baker. The work was produced through a collaboration with Our Lady of Victory (OLV) National Shrine and Basilica in honor of the shrine’s centennial celebration, and soon it will be summer reading material for students in the Diocese of Buffalo.
Based on Fr. Baker’s authorized biography of the same name, Father of the Fatherless: The Story of Nelson Baker follows the venerable priest’s life from his baptism at age 9 until his death in 1936. The comic is likely to be jampacked with events, as Fr. Baker lived a very full life. From serving in the Union Army during the Civil War and starting a business with a partner, to following the call of Christ to join the priesthood and begin his ministry, Fr. Baker’s additions to Western New York were transformative and continue to touch the diocese today.
The great American pastime plays a big part in the story of Fr. Baker, a lifelong baseball fan, beginning with his own playing as a boy and growing into a way to connect with and teach children as a coach during his ministry. His devotion to underserved children would lead him to construct an orphanage, but his contributions to Western New York didn’t end there, as he also oversaw the building of a maternity hospital, a trade school, a home for infant care, and even the OLV Basilica.
Venerable Fr. Nelson Baker is honored at the OLV Basilica, now a National Shrine, with a statue in which he is depicted standing among the many children whom he served, with one hand raised in a blessing. According to the OLV website, the statue was actually commissioned in secret by Fr. Baker’s assistants while he was still alive. Fr. Baker was reportedly angry and embarrassed by the sculpture, but he eventually allowed it to stay after a great debate. Today, this display is flanked by an even larger statue of Our Lady of Victory.
The statue can be seen in the above video of the OLV National Shrine and Basilica. The whole thing is worth a watch for the impeccable architecture and ornamentation of the National Shrine. It’s like stepping into a storied, marble-clad cathedral in Rome.
Along with the statue, OLV Charities honors the venerable priest by continuing his charitable work with the poor, and maintaining the OLV elementary school. To this end, OLV Charities teamed with Voyage Comics to produce Father of the Fatherless and put 3,000 copies into its student’s hands. This will not only teach the kids about this important Catholic figure of their region’s history, but it will also raise awareness of Venerable Fr. Nelson Baker’s ongoing cause for sainthood.
Named a Servant of God in 1987, he was elevated to Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. He is currently under consideration for beatification, which would require the Vatican to attribute one miracle to Fr. Baker’s intercession. There have been two suspected miracles credited to Fr. Baker, but the first was rejected by Rome and the Diocese of Buffalo is still waiting for a decision on the second.
Still, whether he’s venerable or a saint, Fr. Nelson Baker’s story is one of a devout Catholic who followed the call of Jesus Christ to serve his Church and care for his people. Voyage Comics excels at producing illustrated stories that inspire us to live our faith in extraordinary ways, and that’s just the ticket for young readers of comic books who are growing into their own faith.
Learn more about Father of the Fatherless: The Nelson Baker Story and order your copy today at Voyage Comics.
