Skip to main content

News + Media

Abbot Douglas Mullin, OSB Elected Eleventh Abbot of Saint John’s Abbey

Abbot Mullin Saint John's Abbey

Abbot Douglas Mullin has been elected the eleventh Abbot Saint John’s Abbey, where he will continue serving the Church and Saint John’s community. He succeeds Abbot John Klassen, OSB. Mullin’s strong commitment to faith and education has guided him throughout his life. His appointment comes after working within the community for many years, including serving in positions at Saint John’s Preparatory School, the College of Saint Benedict, and Saint John’s University. 

Read more about the appointment of Abbot Douglas Mullin here 


Close-up of an illumination from The Saint John's Bible, a biblical figure outstretches his arms

Open Doors Spiritual Matters: Volume 6 of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition on display at St. John’s Norway Church

St. John’s Norway Anglican Church, located in Toronto’s Beaches neighborhood started its year off by welcoming the sixth volume of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition into its community. This volume contains the Gospels and is read from, and displayed, every Sunday at the faith community’s 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. services through May 2024.

Read more about St. John’s Norway in the article published to Beach Metro Community News.


Blue, yellow and purple paint with gold foil and the words "The Gospel According to John"

“Friday Finds” offers public an up-close look at The Saint John’s Bible

One volume of The Saint John’s Bible is always on display in the Hutchins Library foyer at Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, about 45 miles south of Lexington. This year, throughout the month of February, the library, in association with Berea College’s Special Collections and Archives and the Campus Christian Center, invites the local community to view all seven-volumes as part of its “Friday Finds” special events program. Since acquiring the Heritage Edition in 2016, Hutchins Library is the only institution in the state of Kentucky where The Saint John’s Bible can be viewed. On Fridays from 3pm to 4pm, tours are free and open to the public to see the masterpiece that is The Saint John’s Bible.

Learn more about the event in the article published to the Richmond (Ky.) Register here.


PBS NewsHour: Church leader hopes hand-written and illuminated Bible can heal religious divides

The Saint John's Bible on PBS NewsHour December 19, 2023

The Saint John’s Bible was featured on a PBS NewsHour story that told the tale of the project’s creation, and now, its life. As the first handwritten manuscript crafted since the invention of the printing press, The Saint John’s Bible unites people of all faith journeys with its immaculate artistry and painstaking craft.

Watch the full story.


Church Times: Interview with Calligrapher Donald Jackson

The Church Times, a weekly newspaper based in London, England, sat down with Donald Jackson, creative director of The Saint John’s Bible to discuss attending art school starting at just 13 years old, referencing contemporary life in The Saint John’s Bible, the greatest aim of any calligrapher, and more. 

Read the full article.


Salisbury Journal: Sarum College Receives Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible

Salisbury Journal reported on Sarum College’s recent invitation to the public to view its newly acquired edition of the first handwritten and illuminated Bible created in hundreds of years, the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible. 

“In our digital world where we can carry the Bible on our mobile phones, we do well to acknowledge the ongoing significance of the physical text,” said Professor James Woodward, principal of Sarum College. “Books remain an important part of our search for truth.” 

Read the full story.


Church Times: The Word Made Flesh Photo Story

Abbot John Klassen, Abbot of St John’s Abbey and The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury pose for a photograph with Carol Bruess Professor Emeritus and wife of the President and Brian Bruess President of The College St Benedict and St John’s University after they sign the dedication page at an event to burnish a volume in the Crypt. Photo: Neil Turner for Lambeth Palace. November 2023.

In a recent article, the Church Times, based in London, England, told a photo story of the 25th Anniversary Dedication Tour, in which several institutions across the United Kingdom were gifted editions of The Saint John’s Bible 

Read the full story.


The OLV Podcast with Father David: The Saint John’s Bible

Listen to Father David of OLV Charities in Lackawanna, New York in conversation with Rev. Dr. John F. Ross, Executive Director of the Heritage Program, on the November 2023 episode of the OLV podcast. The pair discuss how they’ve seen The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition impact those who’ve experienced it, what to expect when The Saint John’s Bible exhibit kicks off at the OLV National Shrine & Basilica on Dec. 3, and even The Reverend’s first interaction with The Saint John’s Bible.

Listen here. 

Rare, Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible Presented to Lambeth Palace and Library in honor and memory of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Photo by Neil Turner Photography for Lambeth Palace

Only 12 Apostles Edition sets of The Saint John’s Bible exist.

And it’s only fitting that one should reside in the United Kingdom, the nation in which the project was conceived and principally created.

That is now the case after Wednesday when an Apostles Edition was presented to The Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on behalf of the Church of England during a burnishing ceremony and prayer service held at the Lambeth Palace Library in London.

Read the full article here.


WCCO: Minnesotans Deliver One-of-a-Kind Bible to England

Watch WCCO’s segment on The Saint John’s Bible 25th Anniversary Dedication Tour featuring Executive Director of the Heritage Program Rev. Dr. John F. Ross.

Watch the full segment here.


Minnesota Public Radio: Rare Saint John’s Bible Editions Headed to England

Luke Anthology Illumination

It’s been 25 years since St. John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minn., commissioned the first handwritten, hand-illuminated Bible since the invention of the printing press.

To commemorate the anniversary, St. John’s is presenting rare reproductions of the tome to institutions in the Church of England.

Read the full article by Kirsti Mahron here. 


Sarum College “Saint John’s Bible: A Gift for the Spiritual Imagination”

Geneology IlluminationSarum College in Salisbury is the first stop in a week-long series of national events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of The Saint John’s Bible, the first handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century.

Read the full news release here. 


The Saint John's Bible Apostles Edition open at Washington National Cathedral

Episcopal News Service: “Washington National Cathedral acquires rare, handcrafted copy of The Saint John’s Bible

The Episcopal News Service reported on the Washington National Cathedral’s reception of a rare Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible in an article written by Shireen Korkzan on October 16, 2023.

Read the full article here.


Brad Neary speaks into a microphone at the Washington National Cathedral

KNSI Radio, St. Cloud, Minnesota: “Rare Saint John’s Bible Special Edition Finds a Home at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC”

In an article published by KNSI Radio on October 18th, 2023, Jennifer Lewerenz reports on the Washington National Cathedral’s “historic” acquisition of an Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible, the first handwritten bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in more than 500 years.

Read the full article here.


interior of washington national cathedral - a man and a woman face clergy members

Washington National Cathedral: “Cathedral to Receive Rare Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible

Washington National Cathedral welcomes an Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible in an online news post published on October 9, 2023. “The Saint John’s Bible is a testament to the enduring power of faith and art that invites us to explore the sacred in new ways,” said Dean Hollerith in the announcement. “We are deeply honored to receive this extraordinary work of sacred art and Scripture, and hope it will serve as a profound source of inspiration for our community and visitors alike.”

Read the full article here.


The Saint John's Bible lays open while two congregation members look at it at the Washington National Cathedral

The Washington Times “Cathedral gets high-tech copy of Apostles Edition”

In an article published by The Washington Times on October 19, 2023, Mark A. Kellner highlights the gift of one of only 12 existing Apostles Edition sets of The Saint John’s Bible, received by the Washington National Cathedral.

Read the full article here.


An illumination of Lazarus in The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition

Pax Christi Hosts The Saint John’s Bible

Pax Christi Catholic Community in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is currently hosting one volume of the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible. Enamored with the golden, technicolored beauty of the Heritage Edition – a fine arts edition of the original manuscript – Pax Christi has incorporated the volume into its worship services. After arriving at the church back in November 2022, the volume also has been at the center of visiting events put on for the community to enjoy through mid-November of this year.  

Starting on May 31, Pax Christi plans on hosting weekly Visio Divina sessions on Wednesday evenings. “We’re going to take 13 different illuminations, and we’re going to read the scripture from it, then look at the image and talk about what we see, how is this speaking to us, and just have conversation together around it,” said parish director Carl Bishop. “That’s also open to anybody who would want to be here.” 

Read the full article

 


Seven volumes of The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition lay open

Colorado Springs Church Hosts Unique, Illuminated The Saint John’s Bible 

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church is set to obtain its illuminated, seven-volume Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible, according to the daily newspaper, The Colorado Springs Gazette. This summer, Saint Michael’s will hold visiting appointments for the display of the Gospels and Acts volume of the work, complete with trained ambassadors to provide valuable insight and context to visitors. In the fall of this year, the church will have the complete set of volumes, thanks to generous donors. 

Read the full article


A butterfly illumination from The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition

National Episcopal Church Women Celebrate Femininity in Theology

The National Episcopal Church Women (ECW) – a ministry of the Episcopal Church that champions women’s rights – shared their appreciation of The Saint John’s Bible and its depictions of feminine wisdom in theology. The ECW highlights the feminine nature of Wisdom in Volume III of the Heritage Edition, using the piece of art titled Wisdom Woman as the cover of a recent issue of their magazine, Communiqué. 

Read the full article

 


Azusa Libraries Display The Saint John’s Bible as part of Special Collection Exhibit: Advent Voices

Azusa Pacific University’s Libraries will display a special collections exhibit entitled Advent Voices: Waiting Between Time for the Star of the East. “The goal is to provide a space for people to come in and reflect on Advent and perhaps glean insight from the voices of those who spoke from that time period” says Luba V. Zakharov, the University’s librarian and Advent series curator.

Read the full article


Berea College Hutchins Library Offers Public Look at The Saint John’s Bible

The Berea College Hutchins Library’s Special Collections and Archives and the Campus Christian Center are offering the public an opportunity to take a close look at the College’s Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible, Set 111. [This is] an inductive experience and a good opportunity to show one of the great treasures on our campus” says Tim Binkley, head of Special Collections and Archives.

Read the full article


First-Plymouth to host local debut of The Saint John’s Bible

First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska will host the local debut of The Saint John’s Bible and two volumes, Gospel & Acts and Pentateuch, will be publicly displayed during “The Majesty of the Bible,” event created for the church and the community.
Rev. Dr. John Ross  who will speak at the event on October 19, 2022 expects people to be “fascinated by the creative process and inspired by the ultimate outcome of the first handwritten, illuminated, monumental Bible since the invention of the printing press.”

Read the full article


An Illuminated Experience with Art and Scripture (Sept. 8, 2022)

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex, Connecticut recently welcomed a volume of The Saint John’s Bible that they will use to inspire the spiritual imaginations of their congregation until August 2023.

The church intends to incorporate The Bible over the coming year into its internal programming and community outreach.

Read the full article


KJZZ Arizona Profiles Heritage Edition Binder Roswell Bookbinding (Aug. 8, 2019)

At the back of every Heritage Edition, you’ll find a name in small print: Roswell Bookbinding. “For us, it’s the job of a lifetime,” says president Mike Roswell. “Literally.”


Baylor University Acquires Full Heritage Edition Set (June 25, 2019)

The Waco, TX university’s acquisition “offers a unique opportunity for the Baylor Libraries to become part of a select group of institutions that will preserve this treasure for decades to come.”

Read More

The Saint John's Bible at Baylor University


A Special Christmas Greeting from The Saint John’s Bible

To celebrate Christmas and the unsung heroes of the night shift, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center found a unique way to unveil their Heritage Edition that mirrored the birth of Christ.

 


A Video Tour of The Saint John’s Bible Gallery in Collegeville, MN

What to expect during your visit to The Saint John’s Bible Gallery on the Saint John’s University campus.