A discerning intellect was one of the principal gifts of Joe Munitiz SJ (1931–2022), whose fifty-year association with The Way has left an indelible mark. This issue pays tribute to him with a selection of articles exploring the processes of intellectual discernment that underpin the lives of individuals and communities. From the doctrinal debates of the early Church to the Spiritual Diary of St Ignatius, saints and scholars have always made careful decisions about which thoughts to follow and which to set aside. Such decisions are accompanied by processes of discernment that take days, months or even years to come to fruition. By paying attention to the character of these processes, we can better dispose ourselves to let our thoughts be shaped according to God’s design. In doing so, even our intellectual lives can become an expression of our discipleship of Jesus.
Calum Samuelson, ‘The Mystery of Christian Intellectual Discernment: Learning from Ephrem the Syrian and Anastasios of Sinai’, 7–22
Intellectual discernment was an essential aspect of arriving at the core beliefs of Christianity in the early Church. Calum Samuelson uses the Second Letter to Timothy to reflect on the search for the truth in Anastasios of Sinai and Ephrem the Syrian. He writes in memory of Joe Munitiz, making use of his edition of Anastasios.
Santiago Madrigal Terrazas, ‘The Spiritual Masters of Pope Francis: Hugo Rahner Miguel A. Fiorito and Gaston Fessard’, 23–37
Joe Munitiz’s last translation for The Way explores the theological framework of Pope Francis’s Ignatian spirituality. His Christological approach to discernment can be traced to the work of Hugo Rahner, Miguel Ángel Fiorito and Gaston Fessard.
Joseph A. Munitiz, ‘The Spiritual Journal of St Ignatius’, 39–59
Joe Munitiz’s first ever article for The Way was a penetrating exploration of the inner fabric of Ignatius’ spirit. His exploration of the Spiritual Journal reads as freshly today as it did then, concluding with a surprising insight that will console anyone involved in busy ministry.
Barbara Crostini, ‘Some Thoughts on ‘Prodigal Son’: With a Little Help from a Byzantine Commentary’, 61–66
By paying attention to the original language of Luke's story of the Prodigal Son, Barbara Crostini—another friend writing in memory of Joe Munitiz—reveals unexpected insights into how it would have been understood by its first readers. In doing so she reveals the ever-changing complexity of salvation in human life which is unique for each one of us.
Chris Staab, ‘A Dissertation a Spiritual Diary and Devotion: On Spirituality and Academic Research’, 67–76
This reflection on the spiritual transformation that accompanied the process of writing a doctoral thesis on the Spiritual Diary of St Ignatius reveals how scholarly research can lead to interior freedom.
John Moffatt, ‘The Eucharist and Care of Creation: An Ancient Perspective’, 77–81
St Ireneus’ Against the Heretics contains an integral understanding of the Eucharist which binds more deeply to creation. It helps us to avoid damaging narratives of creation and redemption so that we can can prepare ourselves to tackle the current ecological crisis.
Antonius Sumarwan, ‘Contemplativus in scribendo: Writing a Thesis as Doing the Spiritual Exercise’, 83–94
The act of studying for a thesis can be likened to the experience of undergoing the Spiritual Exercises. Sumarwan demonstrates the similarities and differences before drawing up a programme that might help reinvigorate the writing process.
Charalambos Dendrinos, ‘Joseph A. Munitiz SJ: Tributes Reminiscences and Reflections’, 95–110
Friends, colleagues and fellow Jesuits pay tribute to the late Joe Munitiz SJ, who contributed so much to The Way over many years.