Rachel A. S. Menzel
Saint John's Bible Exhibit - Heritage Edition
Creighton University is proud to have a Heritage Edition of the Saint John's Bible on display in their Rare Books Room. The Heritage Edition is a high-quality, limited edition facsimile of the original and renowned Saint John's Bible. The Saint John's Bible is the first English hand-illuminated bible created in over 500 years, commissioned by Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, also the home of my alma mater, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.
The Creighton University Rare Books Room displays selected illuminations from the Heritage Edition which rotate weekly. Over the course of my internship, I was fortunate enough to be able to select several of the illuminations to be displayed, basing my selections on seasonal or liturgical themes.
​
Changing the display meant opening the custom-build display case, designed by the original artist of the Saint John's Bible based on design elements and materials from Saint John's University and the artist's home in Wales.
After choosing the illumination, securing the case, and setting out the accompanying literature in the Saint John's Bible reference section, I would then assist Dave in updating the online banner of the Bible display, showing a thumbnail of the new selection, updating copyright permissions information, and inviting visitors to stop by during viewing hours to see it.
​
According to the Saint John's Abbey instructions, the Bible is to be handled without gloves and with clean, dry hands.