His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Calls The Saint John's Bible a "Work for Eternity"

04/04/2008

The most rare, full-sized reproduction of The Saint John’s Bible was presented to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI April 4, 2008. As he turned the pages, the Holy Father described it as “a work of art, a great work of art.” View video of the event.

The presentation occurred at the Vatican in Rome during the annual meeting of the Papal Foundation. The Holy Father received the St. Peter Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible and a handwritten dedication page by Donald Jackson, the Bible’s artistic director. 

“Our devoted team of calligraphers, illuminators, craftspeople and illustrators has captured the spirit of The Saint John’s Bible and put it into printed form,” said Jackson. “But, there became a point when the reproduction stopped being an imitation of the original and became a work of art in its own right.”

The Holy Father received the Wisdom Books volume, the first completed volume of the St. Peter Apostles Edition. The Wisdom Books volume is approximately 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide when open and weighs about 20 pounds. Subsequent volumes will be given to the Vatican over the next four years.

“From the time that Donald Jackson inscribed the first words of the Bible, this has been meant as a Bible for all people, a gift to the world,” said Br. Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, president, Saint John’s University. “Now, after several years of anticipation, our dream of sharing the Bible worldwide has become a reality.”

The St. Peter Apostles Edition of The Saint John’s Bible was a gift to Pope Benedict XVI from Saint John’s University and Abbey through the generosity of the Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst Foundation.

“For our family, The Saint John’s Bible is a beautiful art masterpiece, and more than that, it’s a way to spread the faith around the world,” said Judy Rauenhorst Mahoney, board member of the Papal Foundation and daughter of Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst.

Through The Heritage Program, individuals and artistic, religious and cultural institutions can experience and share the only full size, limited edition, signed and numbered reproductions of The Saint John’s Bible.

Limited to 360 full sets, each will be numbered and include a certificate of authenticity. The Heritage Program includes the Heritage Edition sets – a full set and a five volume set – currently available for subscription in pre-publication for $115,000. In addition, the program includes three enhanced editions – Apostles, Prophets and Patriarchs – each for a different sponsorship level. Please visit www.HeritageEdition.com for additional information, or to purchase or gift a reproduction.

Proceeds from the sales of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program will help fund the continuing preservation of endangered medieval manuscripts worldwide, a permanent home for The Saint John’s Bible and scholarly work related to this monumental masterpiece.

For additional information on The Saint John’s Bible, please visit www.saintjohnsbible.org.