St. John’s Bible on display at Mercy Hospital in Rogers
by April 12, 2018 10:38 am 483 views
The Heritage Edition of “The Saint John’s Bible” will be on display at Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas in Rogers through May 31. Four Catholic health ministries worked together to bring the Year of the Saint John’s Bible to Arkansas to recognize the 175th anniversary of Diocese of Little Rock.
This year, the Bible will be taken to the health ministries, and they will host programs for co-workers, physicians and the public. The programs will allow schools and parishes to see the first hand-illuminated Bible in 500 years, according to a news release. Before the Bible came to Mercy Northwest Arkansas, it had been on display at Mercy Fort Smith. After it leaves the Rogers hospital, it will go to St. Bernard’s in Jonesboro in June and July and CHI St. Vincent from August to December.
The Saint John’s Bible was completed in 2011 after it was commissioned by the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minn., in 1998. The original manuscript of seven volumes remains at St. John’s University, but 299 sets were created as a Heritage Edition for travel and display throughout the world.
The 1,165-page Bible has 160 illuminations and was written on vellum; using quills; handmade inks and pigments; and gilded with gold leaf, silver leaf and platinum. Artist and calligrapher Donald Jackson, who led the international team that created the manuscript, said an illumination is the way light plays off the pages as they are turned. Jackson is the scribe for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Chad Raith, vice president of mission for Mercy Northwest Arkansas, said hosting the Bible aligns with the healthcare provider’s commitment to care for patients holistically: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
“We are excited about the privilege of having the Bible here in Northwest Arkansas,” he said. “One thing that unites Christians of all stripes — Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant — is our common dependence on the Bible for God’s wisdom, guidance and consolation. The illuminations contained in the Saint John’s Bible enhance our ability to hear God speak.”
The public can see the Bible from 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays near the donor wall in the lobby of Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas through May 31. At 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, a page turning and reflection will take place.