The Saint John's Bible - A Chronology

Following a Saint John's sponsored calligraphy presentation at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Jackson discusses a handwritten Bible with Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, Director of the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library at Saint John's University.

1996-1997

Saint John's explores the feasibility of the Bible project, Jackson creates first samples and theologians develop illumination schema.

1998-1999

The Saint John's Bible is officially commissioned, funding opportunities are launched and the public is introduced to the project.

2000

On March 8, Ash Wednesday, the first words of The Saint John's Bible are penned on vellum by Donald Jackson. The verses, from the gospel of John, mark the beginning of this monumental project. Thus the first verses are "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, the Word was God..."

2001

On April 20, in a special ceremony, the first completed volume of The Saint John's Bible, Gospel and Acts, is revealed to the public.

2003

In August Donald Jackson arrives to present the second completed volume, the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch is comprised of the first five books of the Old Testament and features illuminations of Creation, the Ten Commandments, and the Death of Moses.

2004

On April 22, Donald Jackson presents the completed Book of Psalms at a press conference at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This marks the third completed volume.

On May 26 a delegation from Saint John's Abbey and University travels to Rome. Donald Jackson, Abbot John Klassen, OSB, and Saint John's University President Br. Dietrich Reinhart, OSB present the Bible to the Pope.

2005

Saint John's Abbey and University received Prophets, the fourth volume of The Saint John's Bible. The reception coincided with the debut of the national and international tour at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, April 9th - July 3rd. The touring exhibition features pages from Gospels and Acts, Psalms, and Pentateuch.

In September, a remarkable milestone was achieved. After more than five years of writing scribes Sue Hufton, Sally Mae Joseph and Brian Simpson, who were joined in 2003 by Susan Leiper and Angela Swan, all completed their final pages of text & poetry for The Saint John's Bible.

2006

In July three representatives of Saint John’s traveled to Monmouth, Wales to bring Wisdom Books, the fifth volume completed, home to Minnesota. Donald Jackson formally presented the volume to the Committee on Illumination and Text at Saint John’s on September 28^th.

Illuminating the Word, the national touring exhibition of The Saint John’s Bible, is placed on exhibition at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. from October through December.

2007

On April 1 the Heritage Edition, the full size museum quality reproduction of The Saint John’s Bible, officially enters production.

The Saint John’s Bible takes it place along other great manuscripts of the world by being exhibited along side such world renowned masterpieces as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Read the detailed progression of The Saint John's Bible.


	News & Events \| People & Places \| See & Hear \| Why & How \| Educator's Forum \| Participate

	Search \| Contacts \| FAQ \| Gift Shop \| Donate \| Home Copyright © 2005 Saint John's University All rights reserved.