Since I’ve started writing about the practice of Bible journaling, I’ve been asked by many Catholics how they can practice this meditative art, this lingering over God’s Word. They want to use their artistic ability whether it be traditional pen and paper journaling or creating art work. The problem is, there is not a Catholic Journaling Bible. Well, there is one journaling Bible that includes all the books of the Bible, but it is no longer in print. You can find them on Amazon, but they can get pricey. So until a Catholic journaling Bible comes out, and believe me, I have contacted Catholic Bible publishers letting them know this is a need, I have some ideas for you who are interested in Catholic Bible journaling.
Blessed is She and Our Sunday Visitor has designed a Catholic Journaling Bible. Click here to purchase and here for my Catholic Journaling Bible post and flip through video I made.
Catholic Bible Journaling
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So you want to enter the world of Catholic Bible journaling but a Catholic journaling Bible doesn’t exists, what now? I have a couple of suggestions and tips for you. See the picture above? It’s from an adult coloring book I gifted myself this Epiphany, Faith in Color: An Adult Coloring Book
I sat down last weekend to color as a fun, relaxing Sunday kind of thing to do. I chose this page because it contained a scripture verse that I had just heard at Mass earlier in the day. So I’m coloring and thinking about the reading and I remembered how beautiful I thought the Gradual had been, “The Lord sent His word, and healed them: and delivered them from their destruction. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to Him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.” †Psalm 106:20-21 Meditating on the verse I was coloring and considering the lovely verses used in the Gradual…I was suddenly struck with an idea.
What if I somehow incorporated these two in my Bible for Bible journaling? I have this love and desire to use Washi tape any chance I get…I have this beautiful coloring page…so I finished coloring, taking my time to let these words, THE WORD of God, fill my heart and mind with thoughts of Him. After I was finished, I tore the coloring page out and went to put it into my Bible using Washi tape and then the plan was to somehow connect it to the Gradual reading taken from the Psalm. Problem…
The coloring page was too big to fit nicely into my Bible. So the first lesson I learned, next time I will make a copy of the picture and decrease it’s copied size. This is a great idea because 1. it will fit in my Bible easily 2. I can color the picture again because I still have the original in my coloring book.
I still wanted to use Washi tape to adhere this coloring page into my Bible so I just folded the page in half so it would fit. Once I folded it, I wrote out the Gradual on some of the blank space. Next time I will probably try my hand at some lovely hand lettering for this part of the Bible journaling.
I am very pleased with the results. Maybe more so than if I had used my journaling Bible because I was able to keep those verses I had just heard at Mass together in one place in my Bible.
The rest of my tips for Catholic Bible journaling are along the same lines. Just because there aren’t large margins in your Bible to take notes, journal thoughts or prayers or create beautiful art word while meditating on God’s Word, doesn’t mean you can’t practice the art and discipline of Bible journaling. You can always add your reflections or art work using my favorite…Washi tape!
Adult coloring books are perfect for those of us who think our artistic abilities are sorely lacking. If not being able to transfer the lovely art from your mind to your page is troublesome to you, maybe even stopping you from Bible journaling, then purchase an adult coloring book. Make the page your own; you could even add to it if you like, and then adhere it into your Bible using my favorite…Washi tape.
I hope this post has given you some encouragement and ideas for Catholic Bible journaling. If you have any others, please share in the comments.
*August 17, 2016 Update: I’ve written a book, Bible Journaling Tips, Inspiration and Permission, to encourage and inspire you in your Bible journaling!
Has anyone used this NLT coloring and creative journaling bible catholic edition? I’m just wondering if it is worth buying.
I just got it in the mail last week and posted about it, comparing it to the Blessed is She Catholic Journaling Bible.
I want to buy the Catholic journaling bible do you know if the bible has dropped in price and can I get it at Michael’s or Wal-Mart?
Thank you
I believe it can only be ordered via Blessed is She or Amazon.
I was hoping I could get it at Michael’s or Wal-Mart.. Do you know if the journaling bible will ever be available for the general public in stores any time soon? I’ll look into it and let you know if I found out anything so you can let other Bible journalers know where and how much it is.
I don’t mind looking for you
Laura Butts
Love this! I added a link to your post in my blog post about new years resolutions 🙂
Yay! I just made a quick flip through video and pen test of the new Catholic Journaling Bible https://youtu.be/njLSUNBxY1Y
Do you know what the differences are between the
“The New Jerusalem Bible, Reader’s Edition” and the
“The New Jerusalem Bible?” I have the latter and the margins are 1 inch. If the reader’s edition one is the same I will probably just use the one I have, but if the margins are wider or something I will get the reader’s edition too. I am just getting started with bible journaling. Thanks and God bless!
I don’t know the difference, I’m sorry.
Thanks! Actually I splurged on the NRSV Notetaker’s Bible; found it new online for about $70. (my birthday present from my hubby!!) I don’t think this version is “strictly” Catholic, but it has all the books (some as Apocryphal I believe.) Anyway, whatever version, I believe the Lord will honor my efforts. Thanks again and God bless, Lori
Yay! I would love to see some pictures of your Bible journaling.
Thanks, I am anxiously waiting for my new Bible to arrive,; I already have the rest of my supplies ready to go! Will share as soon as get going!
Hi i am a freshman in a catholic high school and I’ve recently really wanted to start bible journaling. The only problem is that i can’t find a good and a cute bible that works for me. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Mariah, That is the million dollar question! So far there is not a cute Catholic journaling Bible. I’m using New Jerusalem Readers Edition right now. It is a little extra room, more so in the Psalms and Proverbs than the other books.
I found on Amazon a Catholic Journaling Bible : New Testament with Pslams and Proverbs. Try finding it in the search bar on Amazon.
Yes! It’s fairly new and I do have one. Hopefully soon we’ll have a complete journaling Bible.
I enjoy Bible journaling, but sometimes I’m either not feeling terribly creative, or I don’t have the time or inclination to drag out all the “stuff” needed. So I recently ordered the Inspire Bible on Amazon.com. It is not a Catholic Bible, and is the NLT translation, not my favorite by a long shot, but this isn’t a Bible I’ll be using for study, just for creative endeavors. One has a simple aqua hardcover, and the other a very beautiful leather-like soft cover for slightly more. I paid $32. There are 400 line art drawings in the margins of this Bible that you can color in with colored pencils or whatever you like using, and then, if you wish, decorate further using washi tape or whatever else you like. The downside is it won’t be released until March 22nd, I think it is, but it will be worth the wait.
I think I’ve seen it around. Yes, it does sound like a great idea for those who are afraid or hesitant of messing up in their Bible, but still want to get their creative outlet. Thanks!
I have given up on the Catholic Journaling Bible, so bought a journal from Barnes and Noble (Miquel Ruiz). The pages are somewhat thin, so I washi tape two together and go at it with any paints or inks I choose. My favorite way of journaling is to take something from the day’s Readings…write it out…and (hopefully) write it in my own words , using my own current or past life lessons. Sometimes, I will run across an image that strikes me, and I will tape that in and decorate or write about that. I love this time and definitely see how it draws me closer to God. Another lover of washi tape,
I would LOVE to see pictures Cathy!