Father Eric Hollas, OSB, recalls his first conversation with Donald Jackson about what would become The Saint John’s Bible. The year was 1995, and the two had just given a joint presentation on calligraphy at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Over lunch, Jackson raised “his life’s ambition, which was to… Read More

June 18, 2011, was a historic day for The Saint John’s Bible—the date that the final crosses were embossed on the page and the work of the Bible’s creators was complete. Now, on the tenth anniversary of that day, members of the Saint John’s community are looking back in reflection… Read More

What does an endowment mean for a church, and how can churches be the best stewards of their resources far into the future? Since the foundation of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes in 1985, the organization has broadened its focus beyond traditional endowments to recognize that different kinds of… Read More

In a livestreamed event on April 8, London’s famous St. Martin-in-the-Fields church was host to a performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” complemented by projections of illuminations from The Saint John’s Bible on the church’s iconic east window. Those who missed the live event still have the opportunity to… Read More

As the Covid-19 pandemic disrupts planned gatherings around the world, countless church communities have been asking themselves how they can best come together and carry on traditions remotely. At Epiphany Parish in Seattle, The Saint John’s Bible has played a helpful role in these efforts, serving as a familiar touchstone… Read More

The Saint John’s Bible team at Saint John’s University has the honor of working with a large community of churches, universities, hospitals and families around the world. One of our partners recently asked us for a comprehensive list of online resources, which they could in turn offer their community. We… Read More

As readers of this blog learned two weeks ago, this Lenten season, the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame is delving deep into The Saint John’s Bible. The Institute has launched a complimentary online course designed to “deepen your knowledge of and relationship with Scripture.”… Read More

At first glance, the physical scale of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition may lead one to think that its impact is limited to the geographic areas where it has found a home. But this Lenten season, the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame is… Read More

Like all teaching staff, Marian University faculty ‘struggled with silence’ – before the Heritage Edition. Read More

At some institutions, decision-makers think long and hard about where The Saint John’s Bible fits. What audiences want to see it? How do they want to use it? How do you even tell them where it is? Baylor University in Waco, Texas, has been letting the community decide. “Our goal… Read More

Every year, Donald Jackson receives letters and cards from admirers – many from children – thanking him for the years of work it took to create this monumental Bible. Donald reads every single one. “It’s so refreshing to learn … how The Saint John’s Bible has actually touched their lives,” he says. Read More

Hosting original, handcrafted folios from The Saint John’s Bible is a luxury few places have enjoyed. The number of institutions that have done so twice is even smaller. Joslyn Art Museum is one of them, and The Saint John's Bible keeps visitors coming back "again and again." ... Read More

The decision to host The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition is never taken lightly. Organizers must think through programming, logistics, community outreach, and more to ensure they maximize their time with the Bible and see it put to good use in their communities. For St. Peter’s Health Partners in Albany,… Read More

St. Edward’s University in Texas hosted Fr. Michael Patella, OSB, of Saint John’s University as part of The Most Reverend John McCarthy Lecture Series. “It shows it’s a book for all time,” Fr. Patella said. “It’s not historical. It’s written in history, but it’s a living history" [...] Read More

Faith leaders play some of the most visible roles in their congregations – organizing programming, guiding creative methods of worship, and serving as a face for the church within their communities. But as the members of St. Luke’s Parish in Darien, Connecticut, have found over the past year, parishioners themselves can shine in these duties [...] Read More

The Saint John’s Bible is at home anywhere that spirituality and the arts intersect. Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts (DITA), a research and academic program within the Divinity School at Duke University, “promotes and encourages rigorous scholarly work and effective, imaginative teaching,” making it a natural venue… Read More

The Saint John’s community expresses its sympathy for the passing of Fr. Hilary Thimmesh, OSB, the 10th president of Saint John’s University, whose career highlighted a spirit of service that spanned more than seven decades. Originally an SJU student in 1946, Fr. Hilary served as professor, Dean and President over 73 years [...] Read More

The possibilities for enhancing faith outreach with The Saint John’s Bible are nearly infinite. We believe that the more communities are informed about the creation of this Bible, the better they can use it to complement their mission. Our Workshops, one of our most engaging educational offerings, bring together hosts and owners of the Heritage Edition for a firsthand look at how The Saint John’s Bible was made, carefully replicated and used to reach communities across the world. Read More

In its sixth year as an owner of the Heritage Edition, St. Mary’s University has found plenty of mileage in its pages – and it shows no signs of slowing down. Dr. Bob O’Connor, St. Mary’s Director of The Saint John’s Bible and University Ombudsman, characterizes the Bible’s appearances across… Read More

The Saint John's Bible plays a role in many healing environments around the U.S. and beyond, and the impact of its text and illuminations on the spirit and mind can be understood intuitively. But the latest issue of Health Progress, The Journal of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, goes further, with research-based, academic and theological examinations of how the Bible can contribute to “Healing Spaces.” Read More

Illumination licensing rights provided to A Year with The Saint John’s Bible participants allowed UIW to use art like the Gospel of John Frontispiece for university events. “The first chapter of the Gospel of Saint John was so beautiful, my heart was captivated,” said Sister Walter Maher, CCVI, Vice… Read More

Epiphany Parish Seattle’s annual Holy Week Bible readings came alive in a new way, says church leadership, when they added The Saint John’s Bible to the event. Read More

Every faith tradition has its tangible representations of an intangible belief: symbols, texts, and even elements of nature can center one’s faith and serve as a reminder of traditional values and figures. But to Siena College in Albany, New York, the important part of owning The Saint John’s Bible isn’t… Read More

Exploring the question of existence – the nature of being, “where” we come from and why – is a recurring sticking point between the worlds of faith and science. Ironically, it’s also the uniting ideological thread between the two: the idea that, with enough dedication and the right perspective, humans… Read More

The Saint John’s Bible has inspired people from all walks of life, but among those who lecture on the Bible or are involved with it professionally, there tend to be a few common themes—religious leaders, calligraphers, and academics, primarily in the liberal arts. But as a growing number of audience… Read More

The Saint John's Bible sparked religious conversation "in a way that nothing else can” at the diverse campus of Illinois Wesleyan. Here's how A Year with The Saint John's Bible played out at the historic university. Read More

Experiencing The Saint John’s Bible alone can be powerful. After all, it was created as a work of self-reflection, inviting viewers to discover the divine in their own spiritual imaginations. But as an object of community, it has the power to inspire beyond its pages. At Mount Saint Mary College… Read More

The Bible has been translated into some 1,500 languages – at least, in part. The Saint John’s Bible, however, is hand-penned in English, relying on the New Revised Standard Version translation to preserve the accuracy of the Word among various Christian denominations. But multilingual host communities are making an extra… Read More

The story of the Heritage Edition at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, is as thoughtful as it is memorable. This year’s Christmas greeting from The Saint John’s Bible is dedicated to those who provide care for and support to the sick. We’re proud to present a special video featuring Saint Alphonsus, key illuminations [ ... ] Read More

Many stories on this blog have featured communities participating in the Year with The Saint John’s Bible program. But how does this program actually work, and what do host communities gain from it? Saint John’s University has recently published new details about this unique program and the opportunities it offers… Read More

When open, a single volume of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition measures two feet tall by three feet wide. Its glimmering illuminations, themselves couched in the handwritten Word of God, are placed strategically to reflect light to the curious eyes that devour its pages. At Dunham Bible Museum,… Read More

One of the best ways of understanding any work of art is having a knowledgeable teacher who can guide our thinking, ask challenging questions, and help us discover and articulate our personal responses. At the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, fondly called the Casa, this philosophy is applied not… Read More

Last week, Saint John’s University celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Saint John’s Bible Gallery – the permanent home of the original folios of The Saint John’s Bible. Located within the University’s Alcuin Library, the gallery provides an exhibition space for visitors to view the Bible and reflect on its… Read More

The Saint John’s Bible continues to ignite spiritual imaginations around the world thanks to the Heritage Edition and the Year With The Saint John’s Bible program. Here is an update on the communities sharing The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Editions.* *The following information represents a partial list that does not… Read More

Sister Carol Keehan’s passion for healthcare began at age 18, during her first week in nursing school – “and it’s only gotten better since,” she said. She’s right. Since joining the Daughters of Charity sisterhood for social ministry in 1965, Sr. Carol has become a giant of healthcare. She… Read More

The Rev. Poulson Reed, rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Phoenix, Arizona, cites Psalm 96:9 when discussing how The Saint John’s Bible came to find a home at All Saints’. “Our Episcopal liturgy truly seeks to ‘worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,’” he wrote. “Having the Heritage Edition… Read More

The power of the written word has ebbed and flowed between cultures and generations. The passing of time, the rise of new media and waning trust in the spoken word have cemented its place in the Western world as one of the most genuine, heartfelt forms of communication – particularly… Read More

For many, The Saint John’s Bible is a kaleidoscope through which to see our world – religion, society, war, politics and technology are just a few of the themes that scholars and students alike have been able to extrapolate from its pages and provenance. Liturgical Press… Read More

The utility of the The Saint John’s Bible is to become part of an organization’s mission – whether that mission is healing, education, spiritual introspection, cultural enrichment or artistic appreciation. Dr. Angela McCarthy, Senior Lecturer of Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia, said that it’s become more… Read More

Ahead of their upcoming A Year With The Saint John’s Bible, Saint Luke’s Parish in Darien, Connecticut, featured the Gospels & Acts volume of the Heritage Edition in their June 24 services. The visit from the Heritage Edition complemented an appearance by The Right Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams, the… Read More

As an Episcopal congregation, Epiphany Parish in Seattle observes two foundational liturgical practices: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Table. The former includes reading scripture, prayer, and sermons. The latter creates a more tangible space in which to experience the divine: “It’s mysterious,” according to The… Read More

With 93 hospitals and dozens of nursing homes across 22 states (not including home health and hospice locations), Trinity Health System is driven by a desire to create a “healing environment,” something Philip Boyle, SVP of mission and ethics, says is at the heart of everything the organization does. “When… Read More

The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, New York, was founded in 1885 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With impressive Gothic architecture, stained glass windows and a 200-foot spire, the cathedral is the centerpiece of Garden City. Its staff feels a responsibility to make… Read More

George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, is heavily influenced by its Quaker roots. A layman’s understanding of Quaker values might be summed up in the words of Dr. Paul Anderson, professor of biblical and Quaker studies: “With a deep spiritual interest, Quakers are very plain and concerned with simplicity in… Read More

Nowhere is the multifaceted nature of The Saint John’s Bible more apparent than in an educational context. Experts in fields that encompass the depth of human knowledge – from theology and biology to sociology, the humanities and more – pore over the art, structure, language and human effort of the… Read More

The Diocese of Hamilton in Hamilton, Ontario, will celebrate the reception of all seven volumes of the Heritage Edition with music inspired by The Saint John's Bible on Sunday, April 29, at Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Read More

Catch up on the story and meaning of The Saint John’s Bible with a video series from Creighton University, currently hosting the Heritage Edition in Omaha, NE. Click here to follow the entire eight-part series. Read More

The Heritage Edition offers the opportunity to spread the artistry and message of The Saint John’s Bible. For Christ Church Charlotte, it also deepens a community’s connection with its own spiritual imagination. On April 2, Christ Church finished their extended six-month partnership as hosts of the Heritage Edition. “The driving… Read More

Hospitality; Stewardship; Respect; Justice. At Minnesota-based Benedictine Health System, these Core Values of the Benedictine faith align with the idea of healthcare and are so much more than just words. “At other organizations you may see the values displayed on the wall or on paper and that’s the extent… Read More

The Saint John’s community fondly remembers Jo (Alice Joan) White, the multi-talented artist known as “the mother of The Saint John’s Bible.” Jo passed away in February at the age of 87. As the founder of The Colleagues of Calligraphy, Jo created a community for calligraphers around the world to… Read More

The phrase “so the last shall be first” means there’s a place for everyone and everything in the world. It’s also a mantra that guides Brad Hoaglun and Ted Marconi’s practice of “intentionality,” which flows throughout Boise, Idaho-based Saint Alphonsus Health System’s plan for The Saint John’s Bible in 2018. Read More

Bishop Douglas Crosby knew The Saint John’s Bible had a place in the Diocese of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, long before it found its way there. The question the Diocese faced wasn’t “if” they would make a place for the Bible – it was “how.” Read More

“When you start the Year with the Heritage Edition, the assumption is that after a year, the Bible goes back to Saint John’s,” said Nancy Werner, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. “It was always my hope that wouldn’t be the case for us.”

The University of Portland has been one of the most active and creative keepers of the Heritage Edition. Each year, the university presents new Saint

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in Florida, the site of the first parish church in North America, recently celebrated its 450th anniversary. What better place, then, to celebrate the arrival of the first handwritten Bible illuminated by Benedictines in over 500 years?

The Diocese of St. Augustine is participating in the Year With The Saint John’s Bible and, after series of events in the greater Jacksonville area, the cathedral in St. Augustine now has the Gospels & Acts volume on display. In addition, on February 21, Professor Jack Daniels, Th.D., will discuss the spread of the Gospel over time via the Sacred Scriptures.

Three hospitals in Arkansas are participating in the Year With The Saint John’s Bible program and the first stop is Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith. As reported in the Paris Express, “Mercy Vice President for Mission Martin Schreiber said...

“To the Ends of the Earth” is an illumination you will find on the very last page of the Gospels and Acts volume of The

We celebrate locations around the world that have made a home for The Saint John’s Bible. May the spirit of Christmas illuminate your world!

The Hill Museum and Manuscript Library (HMML) at Saint John’s University is home to the original manuscript of The Saint John’s Bible. HMML’s mission is “to preserve and share the world’s handwritten past to inspire a deeper understanding of our present and future.

One of the most vibrant Bible study programs in the country can be found in Charlotte, North Carolina, at Christ Church. Each week, hundreds of

St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Canada, was home to The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition in 2017. As part of its outreach to the Canadian community, CBC Radio’s Mary Hynes hosted an inspiring hour-long special on The Saint John’s Bible on her program, Tapestry.