Pope Francis to Gift Rare $8 Million Bible to Library of Congress During US Visit

Vatican, August 10, 2015

Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic palace in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican August 9, 2015. Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic palace in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican August 9, 2015.
    

Pope Francis, who is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress in September, plans to donate a rare Bible costing $8 million to House Speaker John Boehner and the Library of Congress, according to reports.

The pope will address Congress on Sept. 24, when he will also present a copy of a special fine art edition of the Bible, which was commissioned by a Minnesota Benedictine abbey, to the Ohio Republican and the Library of Congress, according to The Hill.

The Apostles Edition of the St. John's Bible, which runs in seven volumes, is believed to be the first handwritten and illuminated Bible produced since the invention of the printing press.

There are only 12 such sets, and cost $8 million to produce.

The 1,150-page work was presented to the pope in April by the Papal Foundation and Saint John's University in Minnesota.

As Francis saw the illumination portraying the heavenly Jerusalem, he raised his hands motioning in praise, blessing and thanksgiving.

"Pope Francis lifted his hands with a smile on his face in a gesture of joy and appreciation. It was wonderful," Abbot John Klassen of Saint John's Abbey said in a statement at the time.

Donald Jackson, a British calligrapher, collaborated with St. John's to produce the English language Bible, which is signed and authenticated by him.

"I am proud to represent the team of skilled artists and printers who have striven to make the Word of God come alive on the pages of this edition of The Saint John's Bible," Jackson said in the statement.

According to Klassen, the St. John's Bible is meant to be read by people of all faiths, and not just by Catholics.

"It was a rare honor and privilege to be able to personally present the last volume of The Saint John's Bible to Pope Francis," St. John's President Michael Hemesath said at the time. "The Saint John's Bible is yet another example of the ways the monks of Saint John's impact the world far beyond Collegeville. From preserving cultures through the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library to their role in the liturgical reforms and ecumenical movement of Vatican II to envisioning the first handwritten Bible in 500 years, the monastic community at Saint John's serves the Church and the world in exceptional ways."

The Christian Post

8/10/2015

Comments
jeremiah8/14/2015 3:05 am
Really??? Now what is Congress going to do with it?
Judith Dasse8/13/2015 11:49 pm
How can we access this Bible to read it?
Awesome!!
Richard Mackin,Jr.8/13/2015 9:41 pm
Make sure Congress and the White House read Romans1:16-32 and Old & New Testament prophecy about the coming of antichrist preceding the SECOND COMING OF THE LIVING GOD JESUS CHRIST. Zechariah chapter14
Grace Webb8/13/2015 8:13 am
Congress does not do anything to deserve this, they could care less about people, only getting paid off by corporations.
Msgr David Greka8/13/2015 12:30 am
The gift of the bible is a wonderful insight to the meaning of spirituality. It emphasizes the fact that we life in a materialistic world, constantly seeking meaning in material things to bring happiness that loses it's meaning in a short time. Here we have a group of monks directed by the Holy Spirit to spent a part of their life to produce a human value to enlighten the spiritual part of man to bring meaning to the fullness of man. Receiving such a gift by Congress can only inspire them as to what Christianity meant for the pioneers who first set the foundation for the people of the United States of America. America was built on the inspiration of the Bible as it is well noted by the many verses of the Scripyures inscribed on the public buildings and monuments in our State Capitol of Washiing D.C.

The cost the Bible can emphasis the difference between the great value of the Joy of the Gospels and the temporary happiness of material things sought by using so much of the energy God has given us to Prais and worship him for true happiness.

Msgr David Greka
ciao8/12/2015 7:35 pm
These are treasures for all Catholics---not the personal property of any one pontiff to give away to any government, especially one that is more and more antagonistic to Catholics.
MarthaWrightis8/12/2015 7:15 pm
what the hell is wrong with him?
Alayne R. Cox8/12/2015 3:42 pm
Pope Francis is using this opportunity through this gift, to remind Congress & our Government that this Country is under God's protection! Hopefully it will be accepted with gratitude and used!
JOSEPH 8/12/2015 3:03 pm
EVERYTHING CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE FALLING IN PLACE FOR THE UPCOMING PAPAL VISIT. WITH AWE,SOON, THE WORLD WILL SEE THE LIVING WORD COME ALIVE BEFORE THEIR EYES.SEPTEMBER APPROACHES.HEAVEN IS WATCHING.PEOPLE OPEN YOUR & YOUR EYES,THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.
Sandra Serna8/12/2015 5:52 am
"Cast not your pearls before swine…."
LAURIE8/12/2015 4:36 am
You mean it is still legal to have the Word of God in the Library of Congress???
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