THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT SCROLL
THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT SCROLL
TRAVELING EXHIBITION
In 2019, letterpress printer Mary Bruno was approached by artist Richard Bresnahan to create a handmade scroll of the Rule of Saint Benedict for the center of his sculpture, Kura: Prophetic Messenger. What began as a project outside of her comfort zone grew into a year-long collaboration with Benedictine sisters, local artists, printers, and craftspeople resulting in a 36-foot scroll that celebrates the people, places, and traditions of Central Minnesota. The amount of time & artistry that went into the creation of this scroll is truly remarkable.
36
FEET LONG
18+
HAND-CARVED illustrations
90
PAGES OF TEXT
After a year of the Scroll sitting in the print shop waiting for someone to spill coffee on it, it’s time to get this epic piece of art out in the world! Created during the pandemic, the Scroll never quite got the fanfare it deserved. Now, you can bring this one-of-a-kind exhibition to your own backyard and give your community a chance to experience this incredible project up close.
THE SCROLL HITS THE ROAD!
THE SCROLL HITS THE ROAD!
GATHER
GATHER
Give your peeps a reason to come see something they probably haven’t encountered before. It’s a unique experience for history buffs, art lovers, students, spiritual seekers, and curious people of all kinds.
LISTEN
The Scroll comes with a pretty great story. Hear how a free-spirited artist and a pair of Benedictine Sisters found surprising common ground through their collaboration.
REFLECT
The Rule isn’t confined to the walls of a monastery. Its values and instruction guides us to stay rooted in something bigger than ourselves, build community with one another, and find calm in a noisy world.
There are three levels at which you can host (aka rent) the scroll. The scroll must be delivered and set up by the artist, Mary Bruno. Prices are subject to change with travel costs.
HOSTING THE SCROLL
-
$800 + shipping costs
What’s included:
(10) 18X24” framed pages of the scroll with labels
Framed artist statement
Assets for marketing the show
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$3400 + travel costs
What’s included:
36’ Rule of Saint Benedict Scroll
Locally crafted wooden display case with acrylic cover
Carving tools, linoleum blocks, and polymer printing plates for display
Framed artist statement
Assets for marketing the show
Professional installation of the scroll in your gallery space by the artist
-
$4200 + travel costs
What’s included:
36’ Rule of Saint Benedict Scroll
Locally crafted wooden display case with acrylic cover
(10) 18X24” framed pages of the scroll with labels
Carving tools, linoleum blocks, and polymer printing plates for display
Framed artist statement
Assets for marketing the show
Professional installation of the scroll in your gallery space by the artist
45 minute talk: “The Making of the Scroll” with beautiful powerpoint and video
Interested? Reach out to chat about pricing levels, find the right fit for your community & space, or ask us anything. We’d love to hear from you!
Need funding ideas?
Many partners have found success with grants from state and national programs as well as sponsorships from local banks, universities, and individual donors.
SR. MARY ELIZABETH KLOSS
St. Scholastica Priory
Petersham, MassachussetsSISTER MARY ELIZABETH KLOSS
St. Scholastica Priory
Petersham, MassachussetsWHAT HOSTS ARE SAYING
The work is breathtaking in the enormity— the Rule of Saint Benedict on a single scroll. Illuminated by the imagination and artistry of Mary Bruno’s linoleum cuts. They vary from awe inspiring to some that make you smile in delight. Even the display case is a work of art! It was a great joy to see such a labor intensive work of art in our day when much art is done with the help of computers. Here, we not only see Mary Bruno’s heart but also one of the treasures of Western Civilization.
SISTER MARY ELIZABETH KLOSS
St. Scholastica Priory
Petersham, Massachussets
Featuring Mary Bruno’s Rule of Saint Benedict scroll in our national Books Arts Show Ramble//Rove was a treat for the entire community. From those with a religious background, to artists, children and passersby, all are entranced first by the scale of the work, then by the craftswomanship as they draw near. Mary also displayed several tools, hand-carved linocut blocks and information so visitors can catch a glimpse of the skill, care, knowledge and process behind the creation of this treasure. The Scroll isn’t only an installation, but rather an experience that should be shared near and far.
The work is breathtaking in the enormity — the Rule of Saint Benedict on a single scroll. Illuminated by the imagination and artistry of Mary Bruno’s linoleum cuts. They vary from awe inspiring to some that make you smile in delight. Even the display case is a work of art! It was a great joy to see such a labor intensive work of art in our day when much art is done with the help of computers. Here, we not only see Mary Bruno’s heart but also one of the treasures of Western Civilization.
The Benedictines present, who, of course, base their lives on the Rule of St. Benedict, were clearly impressed with the beauty of the scroll and inspired by it and it's creator. Even though there were many cultures and languages represented among the Benedictines present from around the globe, the language of a passionate artist who spent nearly a year of her life in an intense period of creativity was understood by all.
SISTER lynn mckenszie, OSB
Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica
Cullman, Alabama
KAYLA CLARK
Laramie County Library
Cheyenne, Wyoming
The Benedictines present, who, of course, base their lives on the Rule of St. Benedict, were clearly impressed with the beauty of the scroll and inspired by it and it's creator. Even though there were many cultures and languages represented among the Benedictines present from around the globe, the language of a passionate artist who spent nearly a year of her life in an intense period of creativity was understood by all.
Featuring Mary Bruno’s Rule of Saint Benedict scroll in our national Books Arts Show Ramble//Rove was a treat for the entire community. From those with a religious background, to artists, children and passersby, all are entranced first by the scale of the work, then by the craftswomanship as they draw near. Mary also displayed several tools, hand-carved linocut blocks and information so visitors can catch a glimpse of the skill, care, knowledge and process behind the creation of this treasure. The Scroll isn’t only an installation, but rather an experience that should be shared near and far.
SISTER lynn mckenszie, OSB
Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica
Cullman, AlabamaKAYLA CLARK
Laramie County Library
Cheyenne, Wyoming
SHOP THE SCROLL
SHOP THE SCROLL
Beautiful digitally printed greeting cards with four of the iconic images are available for purchase to help sustain the Scroll Tour. Cards are available as singles or in a box set of 4.
SEE WHERE THE SCROLL HAS BEEN
SEE WHERE THE SCROLL HAS BEEN
From its home in St. Joseph to communities across Central Minnesota and beyond, the Scroll has already made stops in Alabama, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and plenty of places in between. See where it has traveled so far and where it might go next.
From its home in St. Joseph to communities across Central Minnesota and beyond, the Scroll has already made stops in Alabama, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and plenty of places in between. See where it has traveled so far and where it might go next.
The Scroll is not currently on public display, but it’s available to travel to your community.The Scroll is not currently on public display, but it’s available to travel to your community.IN THE NEWS
IN THE NEWS
OCTOBER 2020 THE NEWSLEADERS
‘KURA MESSENGER’ SCULPTURE A HOPEFUL WARNING FROM ST. JOSEPH TO THE FUTURE
For the past year St. Joseph-based artist-printer Mary Bruno, her apprentices Madeline Cochran, Scott Scribner, Lucian Eisenschenk and Ben Hamman, and St. John’s University artist-in-residence, potter Richard Bresnahan, have been collaborating with Sisters of St. Benedict’s monastery and other artisans to create a monumental work of art. On Aug. 11, they hermitically sealed Bresnahan’s large sculpture called “Kura Prophetic Messenger” to preserve its contents for, as Bruno said, “the next hundred million years.”
OCTOBER 2021 CENTRAL MN CATHOLIC
Rule of st. benedict to be immortalized in sculpture garden
‘BENEDICT’ SCROLL TO BE UNROLLED FOR EXHIBIT
OCTOBER 2024 THE NEWSLEADERS
The Rule of St. Benedict is approximately 1,500 years old, and thanks to a new sculpture at St John’s University in Collegeville, the Rule will be immortalized in a special way for even longer. Inside the “Kura” lies a letterpress printed scroll of the Rule of St. Benedict. The scroll was printed and designed by local artist Mary Bruno of Bruno Press.
“It is by far my most epic work. I’m beyond proud of it,” Bruno said.
OCTOBER 2021 THE CENTRAL MINNESOTA CATHOLIC
OCTOBER 2025 TEDXST.CLOUD
CREATING THE FIRST SCROLL OF THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT | TEDxST.CLOUD
Almost five years ago, just before the Covid-19 pandemic began rearing its nasty head, Mary Bruno of St. Joseph took on a challenge of creating a most unusual artwork – a letterpress-printed 36-foot-long scroll. That scroll project became a year-long labor of love for Bruno and her collaborators.
The scroll includes 90 pages of text from “The Rule of Saint Benedict” and 20 illustrations carved in linoleum printing blocks by Bruno, then printed on paper and hand-painted in watercolors.
What happens when ancient wisdom meets contemporary art? This conversation explores a rare collaboration between artist Mary Bruno and Benedictine sisters, bringing the Rule of St. Benedict to life through storytelling, creativity, and shared reflection. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring look at why values like community, hospitality, and stability still matter today.
CREATING THE FIRST SCROLL OF THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT MICHAELA HEDICAN & MARY BRUNO | TEDxST.CLOUD
Want to learn more about about the Scroll?
