VERBUM DOMINI. - Periodical of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, founded in 1921 "spargendia ubique sanis de re biblica doctrinis" (in situ proprio of Pius X Vinea electa, of 7 May 1909: AAS, 1 [1909], p. 488).
It is directed especially to priests, on the basis of the original title Commentarii menstrual de re biblica omnibus sacerdotibus accomodati (from 1921 to 1939), to facilitate for them the use of the Bible both in meditation and in ministry. The articles are written by recognized masters, such as L. Fonck, A. Vaccar, U. Holmmeister, C. Lattey, L. G. de Fonseca (first director) and by many other exegetes.
Interrupted in 1945-46, it was resumed with vol. 25 (1947), with the subtitle Commentarii bimensiles de re biblica. On that occasion the program was formulated more carefully, so as to open the way to further developments. The journal aims to increase esteem for the Bible, to set forth its doctrines and beauties, to elucidate its difficulties, 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