The artwork in the Saint John's Bible is breathtaking, the craftsmanship stunning (as the videos to the left demonstrate). Contemplating the artwork, you sense great spiritual insight. If you ever have an opportunity to see the Saint John's Bible - take it!

The good news, especially for our local readers in the San Antonio area, is that you do have the opportunity. In addition to the hand-written original pages of the Saint John's Bible, kept at Saint John's University in Minnesota, there are a limited number of high-quality, full-size, prints, bound in seven volumes - the Heritage Edition.  St. Mary's University of San Antonio has the only complete copy of the Heritage Edition in Texas. (For information on other locations around the U.S. and the world, click here.)

Dr. Bob O'Connor of Saint Mary's is available to bring volumes of the Heritage Edition and make a presentation to church groups and civic organizations in the San Antonio area (info). He is an engaging speaker, more than willing to share his enthusiasm for - and great knowledge of - the Saint John's Bible. As he showed us the Bible earlier this month, I saw wonderful details I never would have noticed without his guidance.

It is not surprising that the Saint John's Bible was produced by a Benedictine institution.  The reading of scripture, lectio divina, has a central role in Benedictine practice. In fact, the Rule of Benedict encourages readers "to listen with the ears of your heart." It is apparent that those who have crafted the Saint John's Bible have done so. Reading this Bible, and contemplating the artwork, can help us all to listen with the ears of our hearts, to see with the eyes of our soul.

- Bill