An unveiling of one of seven volumes of ‘The Saint John’s Bible, Heritage Edition,’ the first hand-written bible produced in more than 500 years, took place Tuesday at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.

The Saint John’s Bible was unveiled Oct. 11 at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, and will be the subject of two upcoming lectures. Submitted photo

Submitted

The Saint John’s Bible, Heritage Edition, the first hand-written, illuminated and monumental Bible produced by a Benedictine Abbey since the 15th century is on display at the University of Saint Joseph Pope Pius XII Library through August 2017.

One of seven volumes, The Saint John’s Bible, Heritage Edition, was officially commissioned in 1998 by the Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. The Abbey commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible.

The project was completed in 2011, with the final word penned in May 2011 and touch-up work completed by December 2011.

In the Middle Ages, monumental Bibles were made for daily use in monastic communities, yet they were carefully preserved for future generations. The Saint John’s Bible is the modern representative of that great tradition.

Dorothy Keller, M.Ed., University of Saint Joseph professor of Fine Arts, will give two, lectures on the Saint John’s Bible. On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, from 2-3 p.m., Keller will present “Women of Wisdom and Vision: Visual Representations of Women in The Saint John’s Bible,” followed by “Spiritual Anticipation: The Advent Season and The Saint John’s Bible” on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, from 2-3 p.m.

Both lectures are free and will take place in the Bruyette Athenaeum on the West Hartford campus of the University of Saint Joseph located at 1678 Asylum Ave.