Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio Aperuit illis, published on September 30, establishes that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God”. The Vatican News reflects on the Letter.
The timing of the document is significant: September 30 is the Feast of St Jerome, the man who translated most of the Bible into Latin, and who famously said: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ”. This year also marks 1600 years since his death.