Patella, handwritten Bible visit Flagler College as part of Usdin lecture series

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ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (09/20/2013)(readMedia)-- The Bible, as the foundational document for two major faiths, has shaped culture and civilization across the globe. With so many interpretations of the text, however, how do we know that what we call faith is based upon the correct understanding of the truth?

Fr. Michael Patella, professor of New Testament at Saint John's School of Theology in Collegeville, Minn., will discuss that question and the deep issues of the truth, faith and interpretation of God's written Word when he speaks at Flagler College on Oct. 10 as part of the Cecile & Gene Usdin Judeo-Christian Lecture Series.

Patella's lecture is in conjunction with Flagler's exhibition of the St. John's Bible, a handwritten, illuminated Bible created by the Benedictine Monastery at St. John's Abbey in Minnesota.

The St. John's Bible marks the first time in 500 years that a Benedictine Monastery has commissioned a handwritten Bible, its construction paralleling that of its medieval predecessors: written on vellum, using quills, natural handmade inks, hand-ground pigments and gold leaf. The Bible also incorporates modern themes, images and technology of the 21st century.

In addition to chairing the Committee on Illumination and Text for The Saint John's Bible, Father Patella has written "Word and Image: The Hermeneutics of The Saint John's Bible" (Liturgical Press, 2013). He has been a frequent contributor to The Bible Today and Give Us This Day and is also a member of the Catholic Biblical Association.

The St. John's Bible will be on display in the Proctor Library from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10-11, 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 12 and from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 13. For more information on the St. John's Bible, visit saintjohnsbible.org.

The Cecile & Gene Usdin Judeo-Christian Lecture Series is made possible through a generous endowed gift to Flagler College from Gene Usdin, M.D., a former president of the American Psychiatric Association and a clinical professor of psychiatry at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. His love of St. Augustine inspired him to give back to the community by fostering dialogue about Jewish and Christian principles.

The Patella lecture will take place in the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St. at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are not required. Sign language interpreters are provided.

Call (904) 819-6400 for more information or visit www.flagler.edu.

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Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 29 majors, 34 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost. A Flagler education is less than half the cost of similar private colleges, and competitive with many state universities. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for its historic beauty. The centerpiece of the campus is the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a grand resort built in 1888 by Henry M. Flagler, industrialist, railroad pioneer and co-founder of Standard Oil. The Ponce has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.