Marvel’s Nightcrawler provides readers a character possessing an amazing ability to jump across the space-continuum. Born as Kurt Wagner, Nightcrawler is a mutant with an interesting lineage. His mother is the villain Mystique and his father Azazel is a demon general. Despite his family, Nightcrawler ends up being a devout Catholic.
My favorite Nightcrawler scene occurs in an episode of X-Men: The Animated Series from the 1990s. In Season 3 Episode 18 titled Nightcrawler, Kurt has several exchanges with Wolverine on the meaning of suffering and the purpose of life. The indigo-furred hero tells Logan, “We are alike, you and I, angry at the world and ourselves. My pain told me to seek God.” I cannot imagine having such an evil figure as a dad or a double-crosser as a mom. Instead of falling into despair, Nightcrawler chooses faith.
Along with Nightcrawler’s overt faith, I will be discussing how his primary superpower—teleportation—can actually teach us something about the Catholic faith.
Catholicism is Logical and Mysterious
According to Saint Pope John Paul II in his encyclical letter Fides Et Ratio, “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises in contemplation of truth.” Catholicism is a logical faith. Jesus entered into history and lived on Earth. The Church values science greatly, but at the same time there is something Mysterious about the faith. We profess in the Resurrection of Jesus even though it’s not logical. Resurrection, or coming back after death, is mind-boggling. Faith involves a leap.
This dynamic relationship between science and faith is also present in Nightcrawler’s ability to teleport. His mutant power is caused by a biochemical reaction that he consciously triggers. Another thing that makes his power “logical” is that Kurt has to see or be at least familiar with the location that he is teleporting too. Despite those “scientific” constraints to his powers, Nightcrawler’s teleportation is mysterious in nature as well because he is able to transverse different dimensions and bring others along to evade danger.
Rescuing not Running
A second lesson that Nightcrawler’s teleportation abilities can teach us about the faith is the importance of fleeing danger. It is not cowardice if you are leaving a dangerous environment in order to either regroup or to save another. Pope Francis declared in 2013, “Faced with sin, we must escape without any nostalgia.” Teleporting out of the battlefield into a safe space or sanctuary does not mean Nightcrawler was running. Actually, it is a smart and courageous move to rescue his fellow X-Men during battles that go south. Similarly, in our spiritual life we have to abandon any occasions that may tempt us to sin in order to grow in holiness.
Universal Nature of the Church
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 868, “The Church is catholic: she proclaims the fullness of the faith. She bears in herself and administers the totality of the means of salvation. She is sent out to all peoples (all places). She speaks to all men. She encompasses all times.” Nightcrawler’s teleportation superpowers remind us of the universality of the Church because he too is able to traverse across space. Kurt Wagner reaches out to help a myriad of people—humans and fellow mutants alike. The blue colored X-Men does not limit his powers to save a portion of people. Catholicism is a faith for everyone, sinner and saint alike!
While Nightcrawler’s Catholic devotion is explicitly shown in his interactions with fellow X-Men, his teleportation abilities also point to the truths housed in the Church. Catholicism values both science and faith, just like how Nightcrawler’s ability is explained scientifically, but still mysterious in nature. Kurt uses his powers to save others. He reminds us that “running” from danger, such as sin, is not cowardly, but actually an intrepid move towards holiness. Finally, Nightcrawler’s teleportation teaches us of the universality of the Church. Nightcrawler seeks to save anybody in need just as the Catholic Church seeks to bring all to the Savior of the World!
Matt Chicoine
Matthew Chicoine is a free-lance writer, a life-long Catholic, and an avid truth seeker. He earned an M.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2014 and enjoys binge reading Tolkien, Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, Fulton Sheen and comic books. Visit his blog at https://thesimplecatholic.