Saint John's

150 years ago on 10 November, this place we call Saint John's was officially born with five students and five monks struggling to survive on the banks of the Mississippi River near St. Cloud, MN. Shortly thereafter, sensing a fast growing population would surround the peaceful site, the monks relocated to a place called Indianbush, which was renamed St. Louis of the Lake in honor of their patron, Ludwig of Bavaria, and finally changed again to a name that would honor the Baptist, John, who heralded the Messiah by calling people of his day to repentance. More than 1,500 years earlier, St. Benedict himself tore down a pagan altar and rededicated it to this messenger who lived in the wilderness and, though popular in his time, pointed away from himself to the person of Jesus who taught a radical message of peace and love. John did not want anyone to confuse his teaching with that of the Master. The monks found this example of Benedict worthy of repeating. The Abbey church houses a modern representation of John who, with one simple gesture, points to the baptismal font and beyond toward a stark white marble altar, itself a statement about the ever present Master alive and still giving of himself in real food and drink.

Saint John's has always been a place concerned with hospitality, stewardship, education, ecumenical dialogue and ambience. The excellence that was demanded of the students was also expected from the faculty. And the monks also rose to that standard by creating meaningful liturgy, fruitful land and functional buildings that were also statements of belief, conviction and imagination. Today, the original brick facades stand next to the strikingly modern church, library and science complex, with no hint of competition or contrast. Together they speak of yesterday and today in one voice much like the monks reciting psalms with age-old synchronicity.

While probably laughable to most of the civilized world, 150 years is ancient history to Americans. That something lasts that long is a remarkable achievement to us. But this place is not showing signs of weariness or retirement. Instead, each new year ushers in a different set of challenges and keeps it vibrant. One of the newest and most exciting is the creation of the St. John's Bible, which is the first handwritten and illuminated bible since the printing press was invented. It is the only one handwritten in English. The artist and calligrapher is Donald Jackson who most certainly will consider this his masterpiece and probably etch his name in history along others who have given birth to monumental pieces of art. Please visit the website and familiarize yourself with its interesting story and breathtaking art. Better yet, locate the exhibition nearest you and see it for real.