Today in Washington, D.C., The Library of Congress was presented an Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible as a gift from Saint John’s Abbey and University. The gift, funded by GHR Foundation, was made in the presence of Pope Francis following his address to Congress.
The Bible was given in acknowledgement of the Pope’s devotion to scripture, concern for the dignity of all people, care for creation and commitment to justice. The Library of Congress received the gift on behalf of the American people during a reception at the Capitol attended by (above, left to right) Abbot John Klassen, OSB, Joint Committee on the Library Chairman Sen. Roy Blunt, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, Pope Francis, House Speaker John Boehner, Saint John's University President Dr. Michael Hemesath and GHR Foundation CEO Amy Goldman.
“The Library of Congress is truly honored to receive this priceless work of human creativity and divine inspiration in honor of Pope Francis’ visit,” said Dr. Billington.
There are only 12 sets of the Apostles Edition in existence. The illuminations bring to life familiar scriptural passages from a modern perspective, conveying a multicultural humanity and representations of science, technology and contemporary historical events. It is the first handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned by a monastery since the invention of the printing press, more than 500 years ago. The Saint John's Bible and its limited-edition fine art editions resulted from a long collaboration among scholars of scripture and theologians at Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a team of artists and calligraphers led by Donald Jackson, senior scribe to Her Majesty the Queen’s Crown Office at the House of Lords in London, England.
The Library will place the rare edition on public exhibition from Sept. 26, 2015 to Jan. 2, 2016. To learn more about this exciting project and GHR’s engagement in the Papal visit, view the resources below or contact us.
The Bible was given in acknowledgement of the Pope’s devotion to scripture, concern for the dignity of all people, care for creation and commitment to justice. The Library of Congress received the gift on behalf of the American people during a reception at the Capitol attended by (above, left to right) Abbot John Klassen, OSB, Joint Committee on the Library Chairman Sen. Roy Blunt, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, Pope Francis, House Speaker John Boehner, Saint John's University President Dr. Michael Hemesath and GHR Foundation CEO Amy Goldman.
“The Library of Congress is truly honored to receive this priceless work of human creativity and divine inspiration in honor of Pope Francis’ visit,” said Dr. Billington.
There are only 12 sets of the Apostles Edition in existence. The illuminations bring to life familiar scriptural passages from a modern perspective, conveying a multicultural humanity and representations of science, technology and contemporary historical events. It is the first handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned by a monastery since the invention of the printing press, more than 500 years ago. The Saint John's Bible and its limited-edition fine art editions resulted from a long collaboration among scholars of scripture and theologians at Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a team of artists and calligraphers led by Donald Jackson, senior scribe to Her Majesty the Queen’s Crown Office at the House of Lords in London, England.
The Library will place the rare edition on public exhibition from Sept. 26, 2015 to Jan. 2, 2016. To learn more about this exciting project and GHR’s engagement in the Papal visit, view the resources below or contact us.
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