London, England – Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla have accepted the gift of a rare, full-size, seven-volume Heritage Edition set of The Saint John’s Bible. The seven-volume set now resides in the Royal Library within Windsor Castle.
A Dedication page was added to the first volume of the set inscribing this Heritage Edition to the royal couple. The Dedication page was presented in the Royal Library during a private ceremony by Donald Jackson, who served as the Artistic Director and Principal Illuminator of the original manuscript of The Saint John’s Bible. This ceremony was particularly sentimental for Jackson, who is the former Scribe to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Crown Office at the House of Lords in London, England.
The volumes were presented as a gift from people of the United States of America by Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota. The gift was made possible through the generosity of Elaine and Bruce Culver through the Catharine Elizabeth Laney Trust.
“It is our honor to gift a Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the recent coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla,” according to a statement from Elaine and Bruce Culver. “We have long admired and have deep respect for the Royal Family. To encounter the text and illuminations of The Saint John’s Bible is to realize that the God who continues to create new stars is also interested in us, individually and in community. We are honored to share the miracle that is The Saint John’s Bible with the Royal Family, which we hope they will value for generations to come.”
“The King has asked me to thank you for your most generous gift of The Saint John’s Bible, which you so kindly sent on the occasion of Their Majesties’ Coronation,” said Muna Shamsuddin, Assistant Private Secretary to The King in a letter to The Right Reverend John Klassen and Dr. Brian Bruess of Saint John’s University and Abbey. “Your extremely thoughtful gesture is greatly appreciated. The King would have me convey his warmest gratitude and very best wishes to you, to everyone at Saint John’s Abbey and University, and to all at the Catharine Elizabeth Laney Trust.”
King Charles had the opportunity to first see the fine art edition of The Saint John’s Bible in November 2023 at Lambeth Palace Library during Interfaith Week. He also included footage of The Saint John’s Bible in his 2024 Easter Message. More recently, the week before the Blessing and Dedication at Windsor, King Charles had an opportunity to see the Heritage Edition in the Royal Library and he commented on its remarkable beauty. The Dean of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, Bishop Christopher Cocksworth, said, “We intend to use The Saint John’s Bible in our future liturgies, especially when the King visits.”
The gift of the Heritage Edition set to His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla is one of several recent gifts of The Saint John’s Bible in the United Kingdom. In November 2023, Lambeth Palace Library, Sarum College and Canterbury Cathedral each received an edition of The Saint John’s Bible. More recently, Durham Cathedral and St Davids Cathedral were each gifted an edition of The Saint John’s Bible. Click here to read more about The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition at Durham Cathedral and Saint David’s Cathedral.
The Saint John’s Bible: Ignite Your Spiritual Imagination
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Curious about how to bring an edition of The Saint John’s Bible to your community? Please contact Rev. Dr. John F Ross, executive director of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program, here.