Beginning
of organised work: 1810
Date of formation of Bible Society: 1958
Date of Associate Membership in UBS: 1984
Founding members of the CBF: 1970
The mission of the Malta Bible Society
is to provide the Holy Scriptures to every man, woman
and child in a language and form each can readily understand,
and at a price each can easily afford.
This purpose, undertaken without doctrinal
note or comment, and without profit, is a cause which
all Christians and all churches are urged to support.
The Bible Society is a member of the United
Bible Societies (UBS) and of the Catholic Biblical Federation
(CBF), two world partnerships of Bible Societies throughout
the world cooperating to make Scriptures available to
people everywhere in their own language.
The Bible Society seeks to carry out its
mission in different ways and with different programmes
aimed at all categories of the population. Among these
programmes one can mention:
The translation of the Bible into Maltese from the original
languages. This work is carried out by Biblical Scholars
experts in the field of their fields of study. The Bible
Society published the whole Bible in one volume for the
first time in 1984. In 1996 it published a revised edition
of this Bible. Both editions were highly successful and
much appreciated by the Maltese Christians. The translations
of the Bible Society are carried out on inter confessional
lines set out by the UBS and approved by all Churches
and are always worked out on the principle of dynamic
equivalence. This enables the reader to understand the
message of the Bible with more ease according to today's
language.
Translation is an ongoing task. As soon as the Biblical
Scholars finish working on a translation, they start preparing
for a new revision which normally is required every 10
years because of the change in the way languages develop
and change.
The Bible Society is very much involved in helping the
reader of the Bible understand its message. The Bible
was written so many years ago, in such different cultures.
So the Bible Society creates study aids, such as commentaries
on the Bible text and other books of general information,
to assist in the better understanding of the Bible. These
publications have become very popular and some of them
have also been adopted as text books for the Advanced
Examination Level of Religion. Usually these books are
written in Maltese to assist those who find it easier
to study the Bible in their own language.
However, in the Bookshop of the Bible House one can find
a large selection of Bibles, Bible Study Books and other
material such as Computer Software, Commentaries, Dictionaries,
Concordances, Videos, Posters, Cards, Inspirational Biblical
Tapes and CDs and other similar materials, mostly in English.
The Bible Society stocks also all translations in different
languages, whether it is the Bible, the New Testament
or just a selection or portion of Holy Scripture one might
be looking for.
The Bible Society takes care of the young as well. In
the bookshop one can find Bibles for children (of all
ages), colouring books, story telling books, tapes with
Biblical stories, computer software, and other interesting
material which helps the young reader get started with
a journey through the Bible.
The Bible Society organises courses both on a national
level and on parish level. These courses differ from a
10 lecture-course to a three year course all tackling
different aspects and themes of the Bible. We are also
now developing Biblical Workshops, where the participants
can take an active part in the lectures.
Bible Sunday and Bible Week are now two yearly established
events. Bible Week consists of study sessions for two
hours during one whole week. The experience then ends
with a live-in week-end where those present can share
and live a better experience of the Word in their life
in a communitarian spirit. Bible Week is organised on
a national level.
The Bible Society is also very much involved in spreading
the Word through the media, mainly through the radios
but also sometimes through T.V. channels. Both biblical
scholars and Bible Society staff have regular programmes
and/or interviews on the Bible and on Bible Society work
in Malta and abroad.
We cater also for schools, according to demand. However,
the yearly Bible Quiz is becoming quite popular and it
is a very good way of bringing children and young people
close to the text of the Bible.
We are also working on developing a CD-Rom with the Maltese
Biblical Text. This will be the first of its kind in the
history of the Bible in Malta. This work is being done
by volunteers who are professional in this area. Thanks
to them we can have this project done. Commissioning such
a task to an agency would cost thousands of pounds and
with our small market, the end product would be impossible
to sell because of its high price.
Bible Sunday is also organised on a national level. Parishes
are encouraged to dedicate a whole week of activities
to create awareness among their parishioners about the
importance of the Bible in the Christian's life. The climax
is then Bible Sunday, where all attention in the liturgy
and services is given to the Bible.
For the first time this year, all Christian Denominations
present in Malta celebrated Bible Sunday on the same date.
The theme chosen for this special occasion was: "The
Bible is the Common Heritage of All Christian Churches."
This is a very important step in the life of both the
Bible Society and the Churches in Malta. This reflects
the important ecumenical aspect of the work of the Bible
Society in Malta. The Bible Society really unites the
Churches and offers them scope for working together in
the name of Christ.
Children, young people and adults can join the Bible Society
by enrolling as members. Members offer moral support,
prayers, financial assistance and other services they
may like to offer. We hold special meetings and we keep
members updated with information about what is happening
in the Bible World both locally and abroad.
The Bible Society publishes a scholarly review SIJON twice
yearly. Besides it also publishes a newsletter with information
about the life and activities of the Bible Society.
We have a wide vision, many plans and
many dreams. Dreams can only become a reality to the extent
that one believes in them. We believe in our dreams and
we are pretty sure that our vision is correct and will
lead us in the right direction to create new avenues whereby
"God's Dream" that His Word reaches all mankind
will come true.
BUT, we cannot make it alone - we need
YOUR help. Join us in this adventure, in the manner and
in the measure you think you can best join this venture.
You have experienced the power of God's Word in your life
- let's share it with others and be heralds of the Kingdom
…
For more information about how to contact
the Bible Society, ask the Pastor of your Church or else
come in direct contact with us. We will be very happy
to receive you at the Bible House. Maria Pia, Emmie and
myself are always available to serve you.
God Bless you.
Grace Cilia
General Secretary
Malta Bible Society
