St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor unveils The Saint John’s Bible, invites community to view handwritten and illuminated scripture
March 10, 2020
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Bobby Maldonado
248-858-6662
Bobby.Maldonado@stjoeshealth.org
Photo Caption: One of the illustrations found in The Saint John's Bible, currently on display inside St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor. Life in Community, Aidan Hart with contributions from Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (March 11, 2020) – St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor is opening its doors to community groups and individuals for a rare opportunity to view The Saint John’s Bible, the first completely handwritten and illuminated Bible since the invention of the printing press more than 500 years ago. The Bible was unveiled today during a noon prayer service held for staff inside the Main Lobby of the hospital.
“The Saint John’s Bible was created to raise peoples’ spirits and reconnect them with their faith through illustrations and retelling of stories with vibrant language,” said David Nantais, director of Mission Integration at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and St. Joseph Mercy Livingston. “We are excited to share The Saint John’s Bible with our St. Joe's family, patients and the community.”
Both a work of art and a work of theology, the Bible was commissioned in 1998 by Saint John’s University and the monks of Saint John’s Abbey, located in Minnesota. Its purpose is to “ignite the spiritual imagination of people throughout the world” by uniting iconic visual artistry with a clear translation of the Bible that illuminates the world today. Smithsonian magazine called The Saint John’s Bible "one of the extraordinary undertakings of our time."
St. Joe's Ann Arbor will host the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, one of seven volumes of The Saint John's Bible Heritage edition, from March 11, 2020 to September 7, 2020. St. Joe's Ann Arbor chose to showcase the Bible for six months so that communities surrounding the hospital can become inspired by its richness, beauty and faith traditions.
Schools, churches and other community groups are invited to visit St. Joe's Ann Arbor, where they can view the Bible in an exhibit located inside the hospital's Main Lobby. To have a guided experience, members of the community should contact Dave Nantais at 734-712-4307.
The original Saint John’s Bible was produced on calfskin vellum using hand-cut goose quills and paints made from hand-ground precious minerals and stone. The pages feature both handwritten calligraphy and hand-drawn illuminations. All of the artwork was done by hand and it took a team of calligraphers and artists, led by Artistic Director, Donald Jackson, senior scribe to the Queen of England, from 1998-2011 to complete The Saint John's Bible. The illumination of a manuscript is a centuries-old practice which uses gold leaf to accent brightly colored illustrations. The Saint John's Bible features 160 illuminations, which include a blending of religious imagery from various traditions, cultures and creeds as well as contemporary visuals.
People from many religious traditions played a role in the formation of The Saint John’s Bible. According to The Saint John’s Bible website, Episcopalian, Protestant and Jewish advisors helped to form the vision for the Bible, serving as consultants and as members of committees dedicated to assisting in its creation.
A volume of The Saint John's Bible was previously displayed at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and currently, a volume sits on display at St. Mary Mercy Livonia.
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About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) is a health care organization serving seven counties in southeast Michigan including Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, and Lenawee. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, 443-bed St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, 304-bed St. Mary Mercy Livonia, 136-bed St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell, and 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Combined, the five hospitals are licensed for 1,553 beds, have five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities, more than 25 specialty centers; employ more than 13,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 2,700 physicians. SJMHS has annual operating revenues of about $1.9 billion and returns about $120 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs.