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St. John's Bible at Regis College

Submitted by gordon.rixon on Wed, 2010-04-21 06:46

Update: The Gospels and Acts volume of the St. John Bible Heritage Edition was delivered to Regis College on Friday, October 19th. During reading week, the volume begin a series of one day exhibits in the Greater Toronto area. Immediately after reading week, on Monday, October 29th, the volume will be on display in the Atrium for the Regis College community.

On Thursday, May 27th, 2010 Regis College President Joseph Schner, S.J. accepted formally the first three of seven volumes of The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition, a rare, fine-art reproduction of the celebrated Saint John's Bible.

The Heritage Edition is a gift from George and Gloria Allen of St. Paul, Minnesota. It was presented to Fr. Schner at a special convocation in St. Joseph Chapel.  At the convocation, Abbott John Klassen, O.S.B., of Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota and Sr. Eileen Schuller, o.s.u. of MacMaster University, Hamilton were honored for their study and veneration of the Christian Sacred Scriptures. Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto preached at a Eucharist preceding the convocation. Following the convocation, Archbishop Collins enthroned the Wisdom volume in a special display case in the Atrium of the College designed by Larkin Architects of Toronto. An enthroned volume of the Bible remains on permanent rotating display.

The Allens decided to place the volumes of the Heritage Edition, the first to be presented in Canada, at Regis College because they were confident that the Jesuits would use them in their educational and evangelical ministry across the country. "Gloria and I are delighted to share this inspirational rendering of the Word of God with so many people,” George said.  “We have had a long relation with the Canadian Jesuits. We look forward to collaborating in their mission for many years to come."

The seven-volume gift is one of only 299 facsimiles of The Saint John's Bible, the first complete Bible to be scribed and illuminated by hand in more than 500 years. The original combines medieval artistic techniques with contemporary theological reflection in a visual medium.

In March 2010, Regis College took possession of the Psalms, Prophets and Wisdom volumes. The Pentateuch volume was delivered in August and the Historical Books volume arrived in March 2012. The Gosepls and Acts volume is scheduled to be delivered in October 2012 and the final Letters and Revelation volume is expected in the spring of 2013.

In appreciation of this remarkable gift, Regis College has initiated a Travelling Program for religious education and faith formation, which has seen volumes of the St. John's Bible visit over eighty parishes, schools, universities and retreat centers. More than 10,000 people have encountered the Old Testament volumes and delighted in the prayerful turning of its hand-crafted pages. Beginning in Advanet, the 2012-2013 Travelling program will feature the Gospels and Acts volume.

About The Saint John's Bible

The project is sponsored by Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

First conceived in 1995, the project began in 1998 under the artistic direction of Donald Jackson and the manuscript was completed in the fall of 2012. Jackson is one of the world's foremost calligraphers.

Six scribes and six illuminators worked under Jackson's direction at his Scriptorium in Wales for some 14 years to complete the project. The Bible totals 1,150 pages over seven volumes: Pentateuch, Historical Books, Psalms, Prophets, Wisdom Books, Gospels and Acts, Letters and Revelation. Each Heritage volume weighs about 20 pounds and measures 2 feet high by 3 feet wide when open.

The original is crafted by hand on vellum, using rare pigments and precious gilding.

The Heritage Edition is printed in a six colour process with instantaneous UV drying and hand application of gold and platinum.

The Heritage Edition is being placed at universities, art galleries and cathedrals around the world. Pope Benedict XVI received a copy at the Vatican in April 2008.

For additional information, please visit www.saintjohnsbible.org

To turn the pages of the St. John's Bible online, please click here.

About Regis College

Regis College is the Jesuit College at the University of Toronto and one of the founding members of the Toronto School of Theology. The college offers post-baccalaureate and graduate programs in theology each year to about 260 students from over thirty countries. Known for its integration of academic research, spirituality and action for justice, the college was founded in 1930 and moved recently to the corner of Queen's Park Crescent East and Wellesley Street West. For additional information, see www.regiscollege.ca

A "Page Turners Society" has been created to support exhibitions of the St. John's Bible. Members are trained in the handling of rare books and study the artistic and theological program of the Bible. Students of Regis College and the University of Toronto may apply to join. Benefactors are also welcome to join the Society to support the exhibition of the Bible. For more information, contact Dean Gordon Rixon, S.J. at gordon.rixon@utoronto.ca or call 416-922-5474 x225.

Members of the public interested in theological education are invited to attend an open house in October and March each year.

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Exhibitions of the Regis College Heritage Edition of the St. John's Bible

To inquire about hosting an exhibit of the St. John's Bible, please click here.

Upcoming Exhibits

9-10 November 2013 - Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Etobicoke ON

18 March 2014 - St. Anselm's Parish, Toronto ON

Recent Exhibits

9 May 2013 - Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto, Toronto ON

9 May 2013 - Annunciation of Our Lord School, Hamilton ON

26 March 2013 - Paulist Ministry Centre, Toronto ON

23-24 February 2013 - St. John the Evangelist Parish, Weston ON

2-4 February 2013 - Holy Family Parish, Whitby ON

12-13 January 2013 - St. Alphonsus Ligouri Parish, Peterborough ON

15-16 December 2012 - Immaculate Conception/Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Sutton West ON

21 November 2012 - Catholicity Resource Fair, Hamilton Wentworth Roman Catholic District School Board, Hamilton ON

11 November 2012 - Catholic Community, University of Guelph

26 October 2012 - Faith Development Day, Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, Peterborough ON

23 October 2012 - Professional Development Class, Marshall McCluhan Catholic Secondary School, Toronto

22 October 2012 - Faith Formation Day, St. Robert Catholic High School, Thornhill On

15-16 September 2012 - Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Etobicoke ON

21-22 April 2012 - St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Pickering ON

27 February 2012 - Toronto Council, Knights of Columbus, Toronto ON

10 February 2012 - Niel McNiel High School, Toronto ON

24 January 2012 - Halton Catholic District School Board, Halton ON

20 January 2012 - Durham Catholic District School Board, Pickering ON

10 December 2011 - Villa Loyola Retreat House, Sudbury ON

5 December 2011 - Cardinal Newman High School, Toronto ON

1 December 2011 - Marshall McLuhan High School, Toronto ON

28 November 2011 - Marshall McLuhan High School, Toronto ON

26 November 2011 - St. Luke's Parish Retreat, Thornhill ON

16 November 2011 - St. Patrick's Parish, Markham ON

16 November 2011 - Catholicity Resource Fair, Hamilton Wentworth Roman Catholic District School Board, Hamilton ON

15 November 2011 - Religious Education Additional Qualification Course, OECTA / Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto ON

5 November 2011 - Archdiocesan Leadership Formation Program, Toronto ON

28 October 2011 - St. Peter's Seminary, London ON

27 October 2011 - King's University College at the University of Western Ontario, London ON

15 October 2011 - International Conference on the Book, University of St. Michael's College, Toronto ON

24/25 September 2011 - St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Toronto ON

1 February 2011 - Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto, "Great and Manifold: A Celebration of the Bible in English," continued through June.

18/19 June 2011 - St. Anne's Parish, Toronto ON

14 June 2011 - Holy Family Parish, Bolton ON

12 June 2011 - Transfiguration of Our Lord, Toronto ON

3 May 2011 - St. Joseph School, Aurora ON

16 March 2011 - Lenten Lecture Series, St. Marguerite D'Youville Parish, Brampton ON. Continues weekly on Wednesday evenings, until April 13. 

3 April 2011 - Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish, Mississauga ON

31 March - 1 April 2011 - Word of God: Light of Love, A Symposium on “Verbum Domini,” Regis College

30 March 2011 - St. John the Evangelist Parish, Weston ON 

28 March 2011 - Robert Bellarmine High School, Thornhill ON

24 March 2011 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Toronto ON

20 March 2011 - Knights of the Holy Sepulcher Retreat, Toronto ON

16 March 2011 - Newman Centre, Toronto ON

15 March 2011 - St. Joseph Parish, Streetsville ON

5 March 2011 - Open House, Regis College

19 February 2011 - Catholic Women's League Convention, Toronto ON 

6 February 2011 - St. Edmund of Canterbury Parish, Beaconsfield PQ

4 February 2011 - Loyola High School, Montreal PQ

22/23 January 2011 - Holy Family Parish, Bolton ON

14 January 2011 - Central Deanery Meeting, Regis College.

17 December 2010 - Advent Day of Reflection, Southdown Institute, Aurora ON

30 November 2010 - Hamilton-Wentworth Roman Catholic District School Board, Hamilton ON

28 November 2010 - Newman Centre, Toronto ON

26 November 2010 - Education of Youth Commission Meeting, Regis College

24 November 2010 - Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto Reception, Toronto ON

18 November 2010 - Canadian Book Binders and Book Artists Guild, Regis College

13/14 November 2010 - St. Therese Parish, Courtice ON 

8-11 November 2010 - Canadian Association of Ministries Programs National Conference, Villa Loyola, Sudbury ON

30/31 October 2010 - Good Shepherd Parish, Thornhill ON 

24 October 2010 - Covenant House, Toronto ON

23 October 2010 - Manresa Retreat House, Pickering ON

22 October 2010 - Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference, Toronto ON

16/17 October 2010 - St. Margaret Mary Parish, Vaughan, ON

28/29 September 2010 - Regis College / Manresea Retreat House, Pickering, "Word Beyond Image and Text: Sensus Plenior in the
Contemplation of Scripture," encore presentation, continues monthy until March 22 /23, 2011. For enrolment information, please click here. 

23 September 2010 - Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Toronto ON

22 September 2010 - Our Lady of Grace, Aurora ON 

21 September 2010 - St. Leo's Parish, Etobicoke ON

14 July 2010 - Camp Ekon, Muskoka ON

16 June 2010 - St. John the Evangelist Parish, Weston ON

2 June 2010 - St. John's Church, Scarborough ON 

29 -30 May 2010 - Regis College, Doors Open Toronto

27 May 2010 - Regis College, Enthronment

28 April 2010 - Regis College, "Word Beyond Image and Text: Sensus Plenior in the Contemplation of Scripture," continues Wesnesday evenings until June 9th.

22 April 2010 - St. Joseph Parish, Streetsville ON

24 March 2010 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Toronto ON

22 March 2010 - Newman Centre, Toronto ON

4 March 2010 - St. Marguerite D'Youville Parish, Brampton ON