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The Saint John’s Bible at St. Ann
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On the morning of September 26, 2025, St. Ann Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. welcomed a Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible to its parish.Read More
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A Gift and a Treasure
Nearly 30 years ago, a vision was born to renew the thousand-year-old Benedictine tradition of a handwritten and illuminated Bible. Master calligrapher Donald Jackson, commissioned in 1998, led a team of artists and theologians to create The Saint John’s Bible—written on calfskin vellum with ancient and medieval techniques and featuring 160 original illuminations incorporating precious metals.
To share this monumental work more broadly, a limited Heritage Edition was created: just 299 seven-volume sets worldwide. One of these sets has now found a home at St. Ann, gifted by generous benefactors and entrusted to Monsignor Watkins for stewardship.
The presence of The Saint John’s Bible at St. Ann is meant not only to honor Fr. Eric Hollas, one of its early champions, but also to inspire people of all ages and faith traditions. Visitors, schoolchildren, and faith leaders alike will have the chance to encounter this extraordinary sacred art up close—sparking imagination, prayer, and unity across Christian communities. What a blessing to house this interfaith gem.
We hope you will have a chance to stop by to see the St. John Bible at the Mary Chapel. A more formal display case for the Bible will arrive in October!
St. Ann wishes to express immense gratitude to those who made possible the magnificent gift of the St. John Bible Heritage Edition, in honor of esteemed brother and Conventual Chaplain ad honorem Rev. Eric Hollas, Order of Saint Benedict, including Joseph & Gail Berardino, Paul & Anne Krump, Jean & Debbie Brunel and Suzy Moran.
This special Bible edition is the property of the Subpriory of Our Lady of Lourdes, with the approbation of our Regent, his Excellency, Ambassador Peter McGuire, and displayed at St. Ann DC, under the stewardship of Rev. Msgr. James D. Watkins, Pastor of Saint Ann Church and Chief Chaplain of the Subpriory.
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