The Society of Christian Doctrine (Latin: Societas Doctrinæ Christianæ, Italian: Società della Dottrina Cristiana, Maltese: Soċjetà Duttrina Nisranija; abbreviated SDC), 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. The society was established by George Preca in March 1907, in Malta. It has eventually spread around the world, first among Maltese migrants in Australia, then in Albania, in North Sudan, and other countries.

Name

MUSEUM is the abbreviation for "Magister Utinam Sequatur Evangelium Universus Mundus" as meaning "Master, may the whole world follow the Gospel."

Centres

In Malta, the society has forty-six catechism centres for males and forty-three for females.

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. There are now[when?] nine catechism centres for males and seven for females in Gozo.

The objectives of the religious society is catechetical work in the parishes. Members may participate in the activities in six days every week. The society often organises recreational activities for minors and educational courses for adults.

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. The mother-house is the prominent Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The main scope for teaching catechism is to religiously prepare individuals, generally minors, to receive the sacraments according to the Roman Catholic tradition.

Superiors General

This is a list of former and present superiors general of the society:

  • Eugenio Borg (1911–1967);
  • Francesco Saliba (1967–1983);
  • Victor Delicata (1983–2009);
  • Natalino Camilleri (2009–2021) and
  • Roberto Zammit (2021–present)

Further reading

History of the society:

  • Rudolf, Uwe Jens (2018). . Rowman & Littlefield. p. 245. ISBN 9781538119181.
  • Burns, Paul (2001). . A & C Black. pp. 188–190. ISBN 978-0860123828.
  • Anthony Micallef, ed. (June 2010). (PDF). The Maltese Wellingtonian. 11 (3). Wellington, New Zealand: 14–16. ISSN . Archived from (PDF) on 14 March 2017. Information from . vatican.va. Archived from on 3 June 2007.
  • Marcelino Micallef, ed. (3 June 2007). (PDF). L-Aħbar (125). OFM Malta: 3. Archived from (PDF) on 14 March 2017.
  • Farrugia, Massimo (28 May 2007). . Times of Malta. Archived from on 26 September 2015.
  • . Museum San Giljan. 2006. Archived from on 29 July 2013.
  • Bonnici Calì, Rafel (August 1982). (PDF). L-Imnara (in Maltese). 1 (5): 130. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016.

See also