From The Archives:

Artifact of the Month: The Doway Bible

Ava Mari Doogue, CSJ Archivist

Last year, archivist Ava Doogue and archives volunteers Kay Decker, CSJ, and Elizabeth Joseph Toomey, CSJ, discovered within a closet in the far reaches of the archives a book bearing the title “Doway Bible.” They were mystified and intrigued by the find, largely in part because of the alternative spelling; this publication is commonly referred to as the “Douay-Rheims Bible.” The reason for this variation remains unclear. 

The Douay-Rheims Bible is a translation of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into English by members of the English College, Douai, in the service of the Catholic Church.¹ The purpose of publishing this version of the Bible was to uphold Catholic tradition during the Protestant Reformation (1517-1648). Written densely in Latinate vocabulary, the first edition was difficult to read. In the mid-1700s, Bishop Richard Challoner replaced the Latinate translation with an English revision, which is still widely the choice of traditional English-speaking Catholics.  

Both Douai and Rheims are cities in France and played a crucial role for English Catholic exiles. Both cities were significant in preserving Catholicism in England, during the Protestant Reformation. This publication was commonly referred to as the Douay-Rheims (sometimes Douai-Rheims) Bible because it was a collaborative effort by scholars in both cities. The work symbolized unity and perseverance of Catholic exiles during a time of religious turmoil.  

This edition, published in 1800-1841 (possibly 1837, though the source and evidence are inconclusive) was printed by Fielding Lucas Jr, in Baltimore, Maryland. Lucas, an American cartographer and publisher in Baltimore published The Metropolitan Catholic Calendar and Laity’s Directory in 1838. The Bible’s title page features an engraving of the sacrificial lamb and signatures from Archbishop of Baltimore James Whitfield and his secretary, E. Damphoux, D.D.  

The Bible’s title page features an engraving of the sacrificial lamb and signatures from Archbishop of Baltimore James Whitfield and his secretary, E. Damphoux, D.D.  

What is most exciting about this Bible is the inscription on the very first page, by Thomas Magennis, which was signed on November 14, 1841. It is unknown how Magennis came into possession of this Bible. There is no mention of the Bible in Magennis letters and correspondence available in the Boston CSJ Archives. It is safe to assume, after Magennis passed the ownership of the Bible fell onto the Sisters, who preserved it carefully.   

Chosen as the February Artifact of the Month, the Doway Bible reminds us “we exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.”² During the Protestant Reformation, Catholic exiles combined efforts and fought to preserve Catholicism, discovering strength lies in unity and working collaboration with others. This Bible serves as a reminder to continue the fight for the preservation  of the Catholic Religion and resilience. 

¹ “Douay-Rheims Bible” Wikipedia, Dec. 26, 2024 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douay%E2%80%93Rheims_Bible# 

² Cohen, Li, “What to know about Kamala Harris’ viral coconut tree meme: “You exist in the context of all in which you live” CBS News, July 22, 2024 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-to-really-know-about-kamala-harris-viral-coconut-tree-meme/