The Saint John’s Bible
Media Fact Sheet
Updated July 2007
The Vision and Values
In the Middle Ages, monasteries helped preserve knowledge and culture for
the sake of the greater community. By commissioning a handwritten Bible,
Saint John’s revives a tradition and affirms its commitment to the study of
scripture, to the book arts and to educational, artistic and spiritual
pursuits.
The Saint John’s Bible, consistent with the educational mission,
values and vision of Saint John's University, is a spiritual, educational
and artistic endeavor and a significant contribution to the new millennium.
The Saint John’s Bible is guided by the following vision and values:
Ignite Imagination -- With the same dynamic relationship that
existed between medieval Benedictine houses and the scribes whose talents
they engaged, Saint John's Abbey and University and calligrapher Donald
Jackson, in collaboration with many from the wider community, will produce a
Bible, a work of art, which will ignite the spiritual imagination of
believers throughout the world.
Glorify God's Word -- A Biblical illumination takes the Word of
God and glorifies it by transforming the Word into a complementary art form
employing illustration, color and design. The Saint John’s Bible is
meant to be a prophetic witness to the glory of the Word of God and to
humankind's God-given dignity.
Revive Tradition -- In the Middle Ages, monasteries were leaven in
both church and society. They were centers of culture and learning which
kept the tradition of scriptural reading alive for the whole world. They
helped preserve knowledge and culture for the sake of the larger human
family. In commissioning a handwritten, illuminated Bible, Saint John's
revives a tradition that has been nearly absent from the Christian world
since the invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century. The
Saint John’s Bible affirms this community's commitment to the study of
Scripture, to the book arts and to educational, artistic, spiritual and
scholarly pursuits.
Discover History -- Scholars have speculated about the processes
and challenges involved in creating a great manuscript. The Saint John’s
Bible will allow art and cultural historians the opportunity to
experiment in historical discovery, to explore a process that was once a
core activity of human civilization.
Foster the Arts -- The Saint John’s Bible with its
spiritual themes and art will reflect the cultural context both of Saint
John’s and of contemporary society. During the eight years that it will take
to create the piece, Saint John's intends the Bible to be a source of
artistic vitality both inside and outside the Saint John's community.
Give Voice -- The Saint John’s Bible seeks to give voice
and expression to those who are now unprivileged. By involving many people,
The Saint John’s Bible will be linked to other commentaries, and
other images, other interpretations and understandings. Inviting various
groups to contribute to The Saint John’s Bible extends the arms of
churches to the marginalized in the true spirit of Christianity.
The Origin
Beginning in 1970, Donald Jackson expressed in media interviews his
lifetime dream of creating an illuminated Bible. Following a Saint John's
sponsored calligraphy presentation at the Newberry Library in Chicago in
1995, Jackson discussed a handwritten Bible with Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB,
former executive director of the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library at Saint
John's University. Between 1996 and 1997, Saint John's explored the
feasibility of the Bible project, Jackson created first samples, and
theologians developed the illumination schema. The Saint John’s Bible
was officially commissioned in 1998 and funding opportunities were launched.
The public was introduced to the project in 1999, and the first words were
written on vellum on Ash Wednesday of the year 2000.
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Monumental – In the tradition of great medieval Bibles, The Saint
John’s Bible will be monumental — two feet tall and three feet wide and
nearly 1,100 pages bound in seven distinct volumes.
Contemporary – Though each letter is rendered by hand, The Saint
John’s Bible uses state-of-the-art computer technology to create and
manage page layouts as well as employing a modern English translation and
contemporary scripts and illumination.
Ecumenical – Saint John’s Abbey and University are dedicated to
ecumenism. The text, translation and imagery in The Saint John’s Bible
reflect this commitment.
Translation
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) was selected by theologians and
scholars at Saint John’s University as the translation for The Saint
John’s Bible. It was selected because its predecessor, the Revised
Standard Version, had gained the distinction of being officially authorized
for use by most major Christian Churches: Protestant, Anglican, Roman
Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. NSRV is a modern English translation with a
strong literal tradition and it has been approved by the Canadian Conference
of Bishops for Catholic use in Canada and The National Conference of
Catholic Bishops for use by Catholics in the United States.
Tools and Materials
The Saint John’s Bible incorporates many of the characteristics of
its medieval predecessors. It is being written on calfskin vellum using
turkey, goose and swan quills. The team of scribes uses natural handmade
inks, hand-ground pigments, and gold and silver leaf gild.
Layout and Design
A computer is used to size text and define line breaks. These pages are laid
out in full size spreads with sketches in position. Artists use these
layouts to guide their work. Each page is 24 ½” x 15 7/8”, making a two-page
spread approximately three feet wide.
Book headings — Each page contains an illuminated book heading Pentateuch
book titles appear in English on the left page and Hebrew on the right page.
Verses — Paragraph changes are marked by small colored bullets
alternating in 19th century vermilion water-color (red) and sky blue
designer gouache as well as other colors; and the verse numbers appear in
the margins. All other verse numbers appear in the line of text and are
written with a smaller pen.
Chapter Numbers — The beginning of each chapter begins with a large
chapter number.
Script — The calligraphic script was specially designed for The Saint
John’s Bible by Donald Jackson. Letters are written in lamp black ink
from century old Chinese stick ink made from carbon.
Script size — The “x” height describes the size of the script. The small
letters are about two millimeters tall. The height of the script is directly
proportionate to the size of the quill.
Columns — Each page has two 4 ¾” columns. Columns are justified on the
left and the right. There are 54 lines per column, and an average of 10.5
words per line.
Marginalia — Small decorative illustrations, often created with gold leaf
and other gilding, appear in the margins.
Notations — The official notes from the New Revised Standard Version
appear in the lower left and right hand margins of each page.
Theological Briefs
The theological briefs are composite pictures for each of the passages
developed by the Committee on Illumination and Text (CIT). The CIT is made
up of artists, medievalists, theologians, biblical scholars and art
historians. These exegetical (an explanation or critical interpretation of
the text) and theological briefs are narratives that vary in length and are
in an outline form. They provide Jackson with suggested verses, scriptural
cross-references, free association about the text and its imagery, and local
association/references to existing works of artistic interpretation.
Illuminations
There will be approximately 160 illuminations when The Saint John’s Bible is
completed. The illuminations are all dictated by a list called the ‘schema,’
a master plan identifying which passages will be illuminated. The schema was
expanded with detailed theological ‘briefs’ giving Donald Jackson full
background on each passage. The schema also states how large each
illumination will be. Jackson’s process is similar to the monastic practice
of Lectio Divina, a careful mulling over the text, looking at the
details, thinking, meditating, letting it sink in. The Committee on
Illumination and Text (CIT) has likened its work writing the briefs to
Lectio Divina. Jackson’s sacred reading has a practical aim: to spark
visual ideas.
Biblical Themes
The Saint John’s Bible will also speak of the 1500-year-old tradition
of Saint Benedict and his Rule, and the following Benedictine values in
particular:
Hospitality – The Rule of Saint Benedict says the guest should be
received as Christ. The Saint John’s Bible will speak to hospitality
for the poor, the pilgrim, the seeker and the stranger.
Transformation – Benedictines take the vow of conversatio or
conversion of life. Conversatio entails an ongoing process of
aligning one's life more closely to the life of Christ.
Justice for God's People – of special concern to Benedictines and all
believers in biblical revelation is the constant call for justice for all of
God's people who are equally worthy before God.
Benedictine references – each scripture passage referred to by St.
Benedict in the Rule is marked with a special cross, connecting this Bible
to the Benedictines in Minnesota.
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When complete, there will be seven distinct volumes in The Saint John’s
Bible each with their own illuminations or special treatments and
characteristics.
Gospels and Acts
Gospels and Acts was completed in May 2002. The volume is heavily
illuminated with more than 25 illuminations including full-page frontispiece
illuminations for each of the four gospels and several others throughout the
136 pages. Some of the prominent illuminations included in the first volume
that have been filmed, displayed or written about are the Genealogy of
Jesus, Birth of Christ, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, Christ Our Light,
Last Supper, Road to Emmaus and Pentecost.
Pentateuch
Pentateuch was completed in August 2003. Pentateuch, the first five books of
the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy),
includes 164 pages of beautiful illumination and text. The seven prominent
illuminations in this volume are Creation, Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve,
Jacob’s Ladder, Abraham and Sarah, the Ten Commandments and the Death
of Moses.
Psalms
Psalms was completed in April 2004. This volume has 84 pages and consists of
five books, paralleling Pentateuch. Unlike the first two volumes, Gospels
and Acts and Pentateuch, Psalms has its own font, a lighter weight script,
which underscores the melodic and poetic nature of Psalms. Donald Jackson is
doing special treatments, which hint at the ways in which we might “see”
Psalms if they are sung or read poetically. Jackson chose colors to
represent the different themes and designs to symbolize the different types
of Psalms. He devised a way of weaving the two together that resulted in a
unique script, colors and shading in Psalms.
Prophets
Prophets was completed in April 2005. The volume includes 232 pages and 20
illuminations. Prominent illuminations include: Messianic Predictions,
Suffering Servant, Ezekiel’s Prophetic Vision, Valley of the Dry Bones,
Vision of the New Temple, Vision of the Son of Man and Demands of Social
Justice.
Wisdom Books
Wisdom Books was completed in July of 2006 and includes 136 pages and
24 illuminations.
Historical Books
Historical Books is scheduled for completion in 2008-2009 and will include 276
pages and 20 illuminations.
Letters and Revelation
Letters and Revelation is scheduled for completion in 2009 and will include
96 pages and illuminations. Donald Jackson plans to hand write and
illuminate Revelation entirely by himself.
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The community of The Saint John’s Bible is truly international,
with its headquarters at Saint John's University in central Minnesota and
Donald Jackson’s scriptorium in Monmouth, Wales.
Saint John’s
In 1856, Benedictine monks originally from Bavaria traveled to Minnesota and
built an abbey dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. They brought with them a
vision of the future and the role of education that inspired them to found
Saint John's University. They also brought a tradition steeped in 1500 years
of monastic history. Those two visions, forward-thinking imbued with an
appreciation for tradition, would lead Saint John's Abbey and its University
to be a creative center for education, art, architecture, liturgy and the
written word.
Located on 2400 acres of land, the Saint John's campus is remarkable in
both its natural and architectural beauty. It includes pine and hardwood
forest, oak savanna and restored prairies, wetlands and several lakes.
Four-year residential liberal arts education, the liturgical movement,
ecumenism, cultural preservation, art and architecture have become signature
characteristics of Saint John's.
Saint John’s is home to Saint John’s Abbey and University, the School of
Theology and Seminary and the Preparatory School. Over the years, Saint
John’s has become home to a number of other renowned institutions including:
The Liturgical Press, the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library, the Episcopal
House of Prayer, the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, the Jay
Phillips Center for Jewish Christian Learning, Arca Artium, Saint John’s
Pottery, Saint John’s Arboretum and Saint John’s Boys Choir.
Scriptorium in Wales
Donald and Mabel Jackson live in a converted village hall, a rambling
half-timbered building, beautiful against the hills that surround it. Across
the small road, the ‘schoolroom’, a converted mechanic’s shed, was renovated
to make a scriptorium. It is full of natural light, with a row of desks for
the scribal team. In the back are a kitchen and another work area. Across
from the schoolroom, a large black corrugated iron shed serves as a storage
area.
Saint John’s Team - Committee on Illumination and Text (CIT)
The Saint John’s Bible Committee on Illumination and Text meets on a
regular basis to discuss each of the passages that will be illustrated and
to record their reflections for Jackson. They do so with a keen
understanding of scripture and the relevant issues of today and the changing
world. The committee includes Johanna Becker, OSB, Irene Nowell, OSB,
Michael Patella, OSB (Chair), Ellen Joyce, Nathanael Hauser, OSB, Susan Wood, SCL,
Alan Reed, OSB and Columba Stewart, OSB. For more information, visit:
www.saintjohnsbible.org/people/sjb_cit.htm.
The Saint John’s Bible Staff
Executive Director, Hill Museum & Manuscript Library –
Father Columba Stewart, OSB
Director, The Saint John’s Bible and Museum Programming and Exhibitions – Tim Ternes
Coordinator of
Public Services and Operations –
Linda Orzechowski
Wales Team
Donald Jackson is the artistic director leading a team of calligraphers in
writing and illuminating the Bible at his scriptorium in Wales. The team is
made up of skilled scribes, some who work at the scriptorium and others who
take pages of vellum back to their own studios. They meet at regular
intervals to hold together the weight, texture and appearance of the script.
For more information, visit
www.saintjohnsbible.org/people/wales_team.htm.
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The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) premiered Illuminating the
Word: The Saint John’s Bible from April 10 through July 3, 2005. The MIA
is curating and helping organize the national and international tour.
Following its debut, the exhibit will travel to major venues throughout the
United States and internationally. A current outline of scheduled tour
venues may be found at
www.saintjohnsbible.org by clicking on “Exhibitions.”
Approximately 100 original pages from Gospels and Acts, Psalms and
Pentateuch, the first three completed volumes of The Saint John’s
Bible are on tour as part of the national exhibition. Items in the
exhibition include original text and illuminated pages from the Bible,
Donald Jackson’s process sketches, tools from Jackson’s scriptorium in
Wales, as well as other manuscripts, Bibles and art from special collections
at Saint John’s University. Target Corporation is sponsoring the national
exhibition tour which runs until April 2009.
The Imaging and Reproduction
Saint John’s is working with ColorMax in Paynesville, Minnesota, to
preserve the images of The Saint John’s Bible digitally and make
high-quality reproduction possible in the centuries to come. The first step
in the reproduction process is digital photography to capture the image.
Their digital camera records one millimeter at a time. It takes 28 minutes
to photograph a single, nearly 16" by 25", page. Plans call for providing
high-quality reproductions of illuminations and facsimile editions of the
Bible.
Since The Saint John’s Bible was announced, it has
gained world notoriety and attention. Here are just a few of the most
fascinating facts about the Bible to date:
- a limited edition of the first written page, Genealogy of Jesus,
was printed and delivered to the Vatican (August 1999).
- Newsweek magazine calls The Saint John’s Bible
“America’s Book of Kells” (March 2000)
- a cover story about The Saint John’s Bible appeared in
Smithsonian magazine (December 2000).
- Target Corporation announced its sponsorship of the national
exhibition tour (November 2001).
- a BBC documentary on the Bible was produced and aired on more than 25
PBS stations nationally (2003-04).
- BBC Radio 4 has produced a 30-minute audio documentary aired in the
United Kingdom on Good Friday 2004.
- Artistic Director Donald Jackson, Saint John’s Abbot John Klassen, OSB,
and Saint John’s University President Brother Dietrich Reinhart, OSB,
presented a limited edition facsimile of a volume to the Vatican (May 2004).
- 60,000 people attended the opening exhibition of Illuminating the
Word: The Saint John's Bible at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
between April 10 and July 3, 2005.
- Sr. Wendy Beckett received Colman Barry Award at the Victoria and
Albert Museum, London. Sr. Wendy says of The Saint John's Bible:
"...looking at The Saint John's Bible takes us on a spiritual journey,
out of the smallness of ourselves, and into the vastness of Divinity."
- 67,000 people attended the exhibition of Illuminating the Word: The
Saint John’s Bible at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, NE between January
21 and April 15, 2006.
- The Saint John's Bible is exhibited at the Library of
Congress, Washington D.C., from Oct. 6 through Dec. 15 2006.
- Pope Benedict XVI receives the first volume of the Heritage Program,
Wisdom Books, April 4, 2008.
- John Carroll University receives Wisdom Books from the
Heritage Program April 12, 2008.
- Archbishop Harry Flynn receives Wisdom Books from the
Heritage Program, April 24, 2008.
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Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML)
Home of The Saint John’s Bible, is dedicated to the preservation of
and access to art, rare books and manuscripts focused on how humans imagine
the sacred. HMML is located on Saint John’s University campus, 70 miles
northwest of Minneapolis on I-94, HMML can be found at
www.hmml.org or through the Saint John’s
University website at www.csbsju.edu.
Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict
Saint John’s University for men and the College of Saint Benedict for women
are partners in liberal arts education, providing students the opportunity
to benefit from the distinctions of not one, but two nationally recognized
Catholic, Benedictine, residential undergraduate colleges. Together, the
colleges challenge students to live balanced lives of learning, work,
leadership and service in a changing world.
www.csbsju.edu.
For additional information or visuals, please contact:
Linda Orzechowski
Coordinator of
Public Services and Operations
HMML
Saint John’s University
(320) 363-3514
lorzechowsk@csbsju.edu
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