VERBUM DOMINI. – Periodical of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, founded in 1921 “to spread sound biblical doctrine everywhere” (n. of the motu proprio of Pius X Vinea electa, 7 May 1909; AAS, 1 [1909], p. 488).
It is directed especially to priests, based on the original heading Commentarii menstrui de re biblica omnibus sacerdotibus accomodati (from 1921 to 1939), to facilitate their use of the Bible both in meditation and in ministry. The articles are written by recognized scholars, such as L. Fonck, A. Vaccari, U. Holzmeister, C. Lattey, L. G. de Fonseca (first director), and by many others.
Suspended in 1945–46, it was resumed with vol. 25 (1947), under the subtitle Commentarii bimensiles de re biblica. On that occasion the programme was more carefully formulated 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 clarify its difficulties, and to inform seminary professors of the most recent results of biblical studies (in the section Spectator ephemeridum from 1948). A fifth, implicit aim is to serve as a link between the Institute and its former students.