Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM)|
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Entrance to the mother-house of the society |
Abbreviation | MUSEUM |
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Formation | March 1907 |
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Founder | George Preca |
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Founded at | Ħamrun |
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Type | Religious |
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Legal status | Active |
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Purpose | Teaching about the Roman Catholic religion |
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Headquarters | Mother House, Societas Doctrinæ Christianæ, id-Dar Ġenerali |
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Location | - Blata l-Bajda, 207, Saint George Preca Road, Marsa MRS 9010
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Services | Doctrine |
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Fields | Theology |
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Official language | Maltese, English, Italian, Latin, Spanish and Albanian |
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Director General | Roberto Zammit |
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Affiliations | Roman Catholic Church in Malta |
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Website | sdcmuseum.org (Malta)
precacommunity.org (Australia) |
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Remarks | Verbum Dei Caro Factum Est (The Word of God Became Flesh)[1] |
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Formerly called | Societas Papidum et Papidissarum (Society of the Sons and Daughters of the Pope)[2] |
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The Society of Christian Doctrine (Latin: Societas Doctrinæ Christianæ, Italian: Società della Dottrina Cristiana, Maltese: Soċjetà Duttrina Nisranija; abbreviated SDC),[3][4] better known as MUSEUM, is a society of Catholic lay volunteers, made of men and women, teaching catechism in the Christian faith formation of children and adults.[5] The society was established by George Preca in March 1907, in Malta.[6] It has eventually spread around the world, first among Maltese migrants in Australia, then in Albania, in North Sudan, and other countries.[7]
Name
MUSEUM is the abbreviation for "Magister Utinam Sequatur Evangelium Universus Mundus" as meaning "Master, may the whole world follow the Gospel."[4][7]
Centres
In Malta, the society has forty-six catechism centres for males and forty-three for females.[8]
By 1961, the society spread in Gozo, and became successful after a visit for a fishing session. That same year catechism started for males, and in 1962 it was followed by the female branch.[9] There are now[when?] nine catechism centres for males and seven for females in Gozo.[8]
The objectives of the religious society is catechetical work in the parishes.[8] Members may participate in the activities in six days every week.[8] The society often organises recreational activities for minors and educational courses for adults.[8][10]
Members of the society are invited to participate for a meeting every Wednesday at the mother-house of the society, in Blata l-Bajda, Marsa.[8] The mother-house is the prominent Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.[6] The main scope for teaching catechism is to religiously prepare individuals, generally minors, to receive the sacraments according to the Roman Catholic tradition.[8]
Superiors General
This is a list of former and present superiors general of the society:
- Eugenio Borg (1911–1967);[11]
- Francesco Saliba (1967–1983);[12]
- Victor Delicata (1983–2009);[12]
- Natalino Camilleri (2009–2021) and
- Roberto Zammit (2021–present)[13]
Further reading
History of the society:
See also
References