Sacred Scripture is amazing!  It is God's voice speaking to us throughout the ages to His people of every generation.  As Catholics we believe that Faith comes to us through both Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.

How can we honor Sacred Scripture besides hearing the readings from Mass? 

Here are some ideas to help you start thinking about it: 

1) Read the Bible.  Did you know that reading the Bible can be a form of prayer?  

2) Memorize a favorite Psalm or passage.

3) When you read or hear Sacred Scripture, visualize yourself in the story and be aware of what stands out and your experience.

4) Illustrate a favorite Bible passage or Scriptural quote. 

5) Find a Bible based board game to play with your family and friends.

6) Consider having a family Bible and take turns reading from it on a regular basis.  Look for the phrases "Nihil Obstat" and "Imprimatur" on the title page, or the one following it, to make sure that it is approved by the Catholic Church. 

7) Make sure that family members have a copy of the Bible.  Look for the phrases "Nihil Obstat" and "Imprimatur" on the title page, or the one following it, to make sure that it is approved by the Catholic Church. 

8) Make a special place or throne for your family Bible in a prominent place in your home. 

9) Encourage children and youth in your family to act out stories from Scripture.  

10) Place images of the 4 Gospel writers around your home, or images from Scripture.

The Nihil Obstat & Imprimatur

What is the Nihil Obstat? In Latin it means 'nothing hinders or stands in the way.'  It how the Catholic Church declares that there is nothing morally wrong with a book/manuscript and that it follows our Faith.

Imprimatur is basically a license allowing the publisher to publish a religious book.  


At the right is an example from a Catholic Bible showing the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur from 1970 at the top and again when the Bible was republished by the publishing company in 1986.