About
The Centenary Celebration
Celebrating a century of biblical scholarship, academic excellence, and service to the Church.
The centenary will provide an opportunity to reflect on the history and achievements of the Pontifical Biblical Institute (PBI), strengthen academic partnerships, renew ties with local Christian communities, and look ahead to the future of its mission in the Holy Land.
We are planning a ten-day programme in June 2027, including travel days, bringing together approximately thirty participants, including students, faculty members, and benefactors. The programme will combine academic presentations, visits to sites of historical and archaeological significance, encounters with local communities, and opportunities for shared reflection on the Institute’s past, present, and future.
Proposed Programme
- Arrival – Jerusalem: Arrival of participants in Jerusalem.
- Day 1 – The People and History of the PBI: A day dedicated to the people who have shaped the Institute’s history and mission, with particular attention to figures such as Mallon and Martini, alongside visits to significant sites in Jerusalem.
- Day 2 – Academic Programmes and Collaborations: Presentations on the PBI’s academic programmes and its partnerships with institutions such as the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the École Biblique et Archéologique Française, and the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, followed by further visits to sites of historical and cultural significance in Jerusalem.
- Day 3 – Galilee: An excursion to Galilee, exploring the region’s biblical heritage and its historical and religious significance.
- Day 4 – Research at the PBI: A day devoted to the Institute’s research activities, including archaeological excavations, the museum, and other scholarly resources, complemented by visits to Jerusalem and its surroundings.
- Day 5 – The Jesuits in the Holy Land: A day exploring the history and mission of the Jesuits in the Holy Land, including a visit to a local community.
- Day 6 – The Dead Sea: An excursion to the Dead Sea region, with visits to sites of biblical, historical, and archaeological significance.
- Day 7 – The Future of the PBI: A day dedicated to reflecting on the Institute’s future priorities and mission, together with opportunities to visit and engage with local communities.
- Day 8 – Encounters with Local Communities: An excursion combining visits to significant sites with opportunities for dialogue and meaningful encounters with local communities.
- Day 9 – Free Day: Time for personal activities, individual visits, and informal encounters.
- Departure: Departure of participants.
We envision the centenary as more than a commemoration of the past. It will be an opportunity to renew the Institute’s commitment to biblical research, academic collaboration, and service to the Church, while fostering meaningful encounters with the people and communities of the Holy Land. It will also provide an occasion to celebrate the legacy of the PBI and to look with confidence towards the next chapter of its mission.
For further information, please contact: admipib@gmail.com