VERBUM DOMINI. - Journal of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, founded in 1921 «spargendia ubique sanis de re biblica doctrinis» (in situ proprio of Pius X Vinea electa, 7 May 1909: AAS, 1 [1909], p. 488).
It is directed especially to priests, in accordance with its original subtitle Commentarii menstrual de re biblica omnibus sacerdotibus accomodati (from 1921 to 1939), in order to facilitate their use of the Bible both in meditation and in ministry. Its articles are written by recognized masters, such as L. Fonck, A. Vaccar, U. Holmmeister, C. Lattey, L. G. de Fonseca (its first director), and many other exegetes.
Suspended in 1945–46, it resumed with vol. 25 (1947), under the subtitle Commentarii bimensiles de re biblica. On that occasion its programme was formulated more precisely, so as to open the way to further developments. The journal aims to increase esteem for the Bible, to expound its doctrines and beauties, to elucidate its difficulties, and to inform seminary professors about the most recent results of biblical studies (in the section Spectator ephemeridum from 1948). A fifth purpose remains implicit: to serve as a link between the Institute and its former students. Pietro Nober