St. Gregory’s community announces arrival of historic Bible
For the first time on exhibition in Oklahoma, St. Gregory’s University, St. Gregory’s Abbey and the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a one year engagement with The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition, an incomparable work of sacred scripture and art.
The year will begin on October 14th with the unveiling of the Heritage Edition of the Gospels and Acts Volume at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee on the campus of St. Gregory’s University.
The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition volumes are considered rare books, each one a highly customized fine art reproduction of the only handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago.
The exhibition is a cornerstone event of the year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the historic Benedictine Hall. The first day of classes in the building in fall 1915 marked the establishment of a new campus for St. Gregory’s, which was then already a 40 year old institution of higher learning the monks first brought to Indian Territory in 1875.
“One hundred years of history and service is an important milestone for any organization, and it deserves more than a day of commemoration. The Year With The St. John’s Bible will center our Benedictine Hall Centennial on the word of God and inspire the thousands of people who come to campus to see it as an extraordinary work of art and act of faith,” Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B. of St. Gregory’s Abbey explained. “Everyone at St. Gregory’s Abbey, St. Gregory’s University and the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is very proud to offer this extraordinary exhibit to the people of Oklahoma.”
The Gospels and Acts volume is heavily illuminated with more than 25 fine art pieces including full-page frontispiece illuminations for each of the four gospels and several others throughout the 136 pages. Some of the more prominent images include the Genealogy of Jesus, Birth of Christ, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, Christ Our Light, Last Supper, Road to Emmaus and Pentecost.
There are seven distinct volumes in The Saint John’s Bible, each with their own illuminations or special treatments and characteristics. All seven volumes will be on display at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art from December 14 – January 25.
The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition will be on display at the museum during regular museum hours. Churches and other group tours may be scheduled by visiting www.mgmoa.org/.
