THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DEDICATES THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS BIBLE MONTH

By: Stella Zulu

The Catholic Bishops in the Country set aside the first Sunday of September as Bible Sunday and the whole Month of September as a Bible Month in the Catholic Church. This therefore, means that the Sunday of  the 5^th of September the Church will launch the Month of the Bible in all dioceses and parishes to mark the beginning of the Bible Month of September.

The Bible Sunday and Month are meant to assist Catholics understand the importance of the Bible in their lives and encourage them to make it a habit to read, meditate, and understand the teaching of the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Bible Sunday and the whole bible month also gives Catholics the opportunity to continue deepening their relationship with God by listening attentively to His word.

This year’s Bible Month theme is “Obedience is better that Sacrifice” from 1 Samuel 15:22. The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) through the Pastoral Commission therefore, encourages all Catholics to own a Bible, read, meditate and act on the word of God.

In his message for this year’s Bible Month, the Bishop Chairman for the Pastoral Commission, Right Rev Peter Musikuwa said Christians need to constantly and consistently read the Bible to acquire necessary Spiritual gifts.

“God’s word is a source of nourishment and Spiritual growth, its importance in our daily lives, obliges us to know and fully appreciate it. This year’s Bible reflection falls within a period when the Universal Church is celebrating the Year of St. Joseph, one of the people who obeyed to do God’s will in their lives. I therefore, invite the whole Catholic family to seriously meditate, on the life of St. Joseph in order to get Spiritual insights to help us know God’s will in our lives. reads part of the message

In his remarks, the Bible Coordinator for Lilongwe Archdiocese,  Rev Fr. Henry Zulu said the Church has lined up a number of activities to guide Christians in dioceses, parishes and small Christian communities during the whole month.

“During this Bible Month, families are encouraged to recite the prayer for family using the Bible, all Christians are encouraged to listen to Catholic radio stations for Bible programs, parishes and pastoral agents are being asked to organize recollections for the youths during holidays, observe bible enthronement, and to encourage all the Faithful to buy a bible and exchange gifts of the Holy bible just to mention a few”. Said Fr. Zulu

The Church started celebrating the Bible Month after the Holy Father’s declaration made in 2019, the year that marked the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Bible apostolate established to promote the Word of God among Catholics.