Illuminating the Mission is a week-long reflection series to unite Christians through prayer during Pope Francis’ visit to the United States in 2015.
Please join us by opening your copy of The Saint John’s Bible and turning a page a day for seven days.

Creation, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2003, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The illuminations and reflections are available to download for your use as you see fit. Out of respect for the artists, please make sure the credit information accompanies the illuminations if you print or display the images.
The seven-day, page-turning schedule is as follows:
Day 1: Monday, September 21
Creation, Genesis 1-2:4a
Reflection—
Creation.pdf (799 downloads)
Barbara Sutton, D. Min is associate dean for formation and outreach at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University. She is the editor of the Seeing the Word curriculum (Liturgical Press) and the Illuminating Ministry Journals, Vol. 2 and 3 (Liturgical Press); and she is the author of the Seeing the Word Program Manual (Liturgical Press, 2011). She directs the annual Praying with the Imagination Retreat at the Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse each summer.
Illumination—
Creation-Illumination.jpg (668 downloads)
Credit: Creation, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2003,The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Day 2: Tuesday, September 22
Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 15:1-7 and 17:1-22
Reflection—
Abraham-and-Sarah.pdf (641 downloads)
Rev. Michael Patella, OSB, SSD is professor of New Testament at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN where he also serves as seminary rector. He served as chair of the Committee on Illumination and Text for The Saint John’s Bible. He is author of Word and Image: The Hermeneutics of The Saint John’s Bible (Liturgical Press, 2013).
Illumination—
Abraham-and-Sarah-Illumination.jpg (638 downloads)
Credit: Abraham and Sarah, Donald Jackson, 2003, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, © 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Day 3: Wednesday, September 23
Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-26
Reflection—
Ten-Commandments.pdf (609 downloads)
Rev. Michael Patella, OSB, SSD is professor of New Testament at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN where he also serves as seminary rector. He served as chair of the Committee on Illumination and Text for The Saint John’s Bible. He is author of Word and Image: The Hermeneutics of The Saint John’s Bible (Liturgical Press, 2013).
Illumination—
Ten-Commandments-Illumination.jpg (609 downloads)
Credit:Ten Commandments, Thomas Ingmire, Copyright 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Day 4: Thursday, September 24
Peter’s Confession, Matthew 16: 13-23
Reflection—
Peters-Confession.pdf (606 downloads)
Rev. Michael Patella, OSB, SSD is professor of New Testament at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN where he also serves as seminary rector. He served as chair of the Committee on Illumination and Text for The Saint John’s Bible. He is author of Word and Image: The Hermeneutics of The Saint John’s Bible (Liturgical Press, 2013).
Illumination—
Peters-Confession-Illumination.jpg (585 downloads)
Credit: Peter’s Confession, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002,The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Day 5: Friday, September 25
Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, Mark 6:33-44, 8:1-10
Reflection—
Multiplication-of-the-Loaves-and-Fishes.pdf (597 downloads)
Bailey Walter, M.Div. is the assistant for formation and outreach at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University. A recent graduate of the School of Theology and Seminary, Bailey served as a graduate assistant for the Seeing the Word project and Lifelong Learning. She now directs a project on Economic Challenges Facing Church Ministers.
Illumination—
Multiplication-Illumination.jpg (614 downloads)
Credit: Multiplication of The Loaves and Fishes, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Day 6: Saturday, September 26
Two Cures, Mark 5:35-43
Reflection—
Two-Cures.pdf (682 downloads)
Rachel Gabelman is a candidate for the Master of Divinity degree at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN. She serves as the Graduate Assistant for the Seeing the Word project.
Illumination—
Two-Cures-Illumination.jpg (638 downloads)
Credit: Two Cures, Aidan Hart with contributions from Donald Jackson and Sally Mae Joseph, Copyright 2002,The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Day 7: Sunday, September 27
Pentecost, Acts 1:6-11, 2:1-47
Reflection—
Pentecost.pdf (563 downloads)
Rachel Gabelman is a candidate for the Master of Divinity degree at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN. She serves as the Graduate Assistant for the Seeing the Word project.
Illumination—
Pentecost-Illumination.jpg (603 downloads)
Credit: Pentecost, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2002,The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.