September has a special importance for the Church in the Dominican Republic, as the Month of the Bible is celebrated with a variety of activities ranging from the enthronement of the Bible (families are encouraged to place the Bible in a special place in the house) to walks, Scripture Olympics and Bible workshops in the different dioceses and parishes of the country. This month is an important time in which the Church seeks to highlight the centrality of Scripture in the spiritual life of the faithful.
In the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana a Biblical Congress took place on September 17, and several members of the Community of Saint Paul were very involved in its organization and development. It was the first biblical congress organized in the diocese and more than 400 people from different parishes in the region participated, which was a great success.
Father Pablo Cirujeda, from the Community of St. Paul, who usually works in Mexico, gave the keynote speech to the congress. The theme developed during the congress was "Mercy in the Old and New Testaments". It was proposed at the national level that all activities of the month of the Bible would be focused on the subject of mercy in Scripture, echoing the Jubilee Year of Mercy promoted by Pope Francis.
Pablo encouraged the participants to make regular use of the Scriptures in their daily prayer and in their ecclesial base communities. He also invited the participants to discover the merciful love of God in his holy Word. He created a participatory and entertaining atmosphere among those attending his presentation. As a result of this day of reflection, the participants committed themselves to transmit what they learned and to start promoting small groups to undertake Bible study in their parishes.
