For Immediate Release

Contact:

Bobby Maldonado

248-858-6662

Bobby.Maldonado@stjoeshealth.org

July 18, 2018

LIVONIA, Mich. (July 18, 2018) – St. Mary Mercy Livonia is opening its doors to community groups and individuals for a rare opportunity to view The Saint John’s Bible, the first completely handwritten and illuminated Bible since the invention of the printing press more than 500 years ago. The Bible was unveiled today during an early morning prayer service held for staff inside the South Lobby of the hospital.

“At St. Mary Mercy, we seek to heal the whole person, which includes the body, mind and soul," said Dave Spivey, president and CEO of St. Mary Mercy Livonia. "Through its beauty and art, The Saint John’s Bible will resonate with people of all faiths and will enhance the healing environment we've sought to create here within our hospital.”

Both a work of art and a work of theology, the Bible was commissioned in 1998 by Saint John’s University and the monks of Saint John’s Abbey, located in Minnesota. Its purpose is to “ignite the spiritual imagination of people throughout the world” by uniting iconic visual artistry with a clear translation of the Bible that illuminates the world today. Smithsonian magazine called The Saint John’s Bible "one of the extraordinary undertakings of our time."

St. Mary Mercy will host the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, one of seven volumes of The Saint John's Bible Heritage edition, from July 18, 2018 to June 30, 2019. St. Mary Mercy chose to showcase the Bible throughout the next year so that the city of Livonia and surrounding communities can become inspired by its richness, beauty and faith traditions.

Schools, churches and other community groups are invited to visit St. Mary Mercy, where they can view the Bible in an exhibit located inside the hospital's South Lobby. To have a guided experience, members of the community should contact Dave Nantais, mission leader at St. Mary Mercy Livonia, at 734-655-1646.

The Saint John’s Bible was produced on calfskin vellum using hand-cut goose quills and paints made from hand-ground precious minerals and stone. The pages feature both handwritten calligraphy and hand-drawn illuminations. All of the artwork was done by hand and it took a team of calligraphers and artists, led by Artistic Director, Donald Jackson, senior scribe to the Queen of England, from 1998-2011 to complete The Saint John's Bible. The illumination of a manuscript is a centuries-old practice which uses gold leaf to accent brightly colored illustrations. The Saint John's Bible features 160 illuminations, which include a blending of religious imagery from various traditions, cultures and creeds as well as contemporary visuals.

People from many religious traditions played a role in the formation of The Saint John’s Bible. According to The Saint John’s Bible website, Episcopalian, Protestant and Jewish advisors helped to form the vision for the Bible, serving as consultants and as members of committees dedicated to assisting in its creation.

###

About St. Mary Mercy Livonia

St. Mary Mercy Livonia is a 304-bed hospital providing acute-care medical and health services to our community by board-certified doctors and registered nurses.

We provide the highest quality services with leading-edge technology in our 24-hour Emergency Center, Senior ER, Heart & Vascular Center, Cancer Center, Birthing Center, Women’s Center, Center for Joint Replacement, Inpatient and Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Units, Sleep Center, Wound Care Center, and Michigan Bariatric Institute. We also offer same-day diagnostic testing and a variety of community health education services.

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) is a health care organization serving seven counties in southeast Michigan including Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne,

Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, and Lenawee. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, 443-bed St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, 304-bed St. Mary Mercy Livonia, 136-bed St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell, and 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Combined, the five hospitals are licensed for 1,553 beds, have five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities, more than 25 specialty centers; employ more than 13,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 2,700 physicians. SJMHS has annual operating revenues of about $1.9 billion and returns about $120 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs.