Sisters donate St. John’s Bible to CSB

Seven volumes of The St. John’s Bible were gifted to the College of St. Benedict by the Sisters of St. Benedict on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in a liturgy titled “A Gift for Generations.”

Following the service at 5 p.m., there was a procession to the Benedicta Arts Center (BAC), where the bible will be temporarily stored before moving to its permanent home in Clemens Library. The celebration included the CSB women’s choir singing the CSB Alma Mater. Additionally, all seven volumes were able to be touched and read during the event. Afterwards, charcuterie boards were served.

The liturgy planning committee included Director of CSB Campus Ministry Cindy Gonzalez, Dean of Students Mary Geller, Sister Nina Lasceski, Carol Bruess and The St. John’s Bible coordinator Tim Ternes

Prioress Karen Rose gave direct credit to Emily Coborn, who was in attendance with her husband, for gifting the bible to the St. Ben’s Sisters.

Planning committee member Sister Nina Lasceski said that a large variety of people attended.

“It was beautiful to see the different ages of individuals there,” Lasceski said.

The focal points of the ceremony were the processions in and out – the official transition of ownership from the Sisters of St. Benedict to CSB. The procession was comprised of current students, Bennie alumni and current faculty and staff.

“For me, the most special part was watching the different generations of Bennies carry these volumes out together,” Gonzalez said. “Maybe it’s because I nominated all these women, but it was so important to watch them all step up in this big way. It is something that will live on for many generations to come.”

Sister Ann Marie Biermaier echoed the sentiment.

“I felt emotional a few times because the community was the ones who walked in with the book. Then what was very touching was handing it over to the college,” Biermaier said. “It was a phenomenal experience of what it is to be Benedictine.”

CSB senior and attendee Grace Dresser said that she found the liturgy incredibly impactful.

“It’s a reminder that The St. John’s Bible is more than an artifact. It’s a symbol of the living, breathing connection that we carry on,” Dresser said.

When asked what she hoped would come from the donation, Sister Laura Suhr said she simply hoped it would be enjoyed.

“I hope this is utilized and viewed a lot, and that people take the time to go take it all in,” Suhr said.