Presentation to showcase artworks of Saint John’s Bible

David Allaway will visit Salve Regina Wednesday, Oct. 16 to share the story of the Saint John’s Bible, the first handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey in more than 500 years. His presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, and is free and open to the public.

A once-in-a-millennium undertaking, the Saint John’s Bible’s handwritten lettering and stunning artworks present the Word of God in an engaging and inspirational way. Allaway, the director of the Bible’s heritage program, will showcase some of the many artworks in this world-renowned project.

Permanently housed on the campus of Saint John’s University, the Bible was produced by a team of artists coordinated by master calligrapher Donald Jackson. Their work combines the ancient techniques of calligraphy and illumination with an ecumenical Christian approach to the Bible rooted in Benedictine spirituality.

Handwritten and illuminated on calfskin vellum using quills, hand-ground pigments, natural inks and gold leaf gild, the process is ancient. The Bible contains more than 160 illuminations and countless text treatments and marginalia in seven distinct books: Pentateuch, Historical Books, Psalms, Wisdom Books, Prophets, Gospels and Acts, and Letters and Revelation.