The Theological Underpinnings of Ignatian Spirituality: From Historical Context to Contemporary Relevance
A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 February 2026 | Viewed by 228
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue on "The Theological Underpinnings of Ignatian Spirituality: From Historical Context to Contemporary Relevance." Ignatian spirituality, rooted in the life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, has profoundly influenced Christian thought and practice since the 16th century. This research area is crucial for understanding the theological principles that have shaped Ignatian spirituality and its enduring impact on contemporary spiritual considerations. The historical context of the Counter-Reformation and the broader ecclesiastical and cultural milieu of the time provide a rich backdrop for exploring these themes.
This Special Issue aims to explore the theological foundations of Ignatian spirituality, examining its historical origins and contemporary relevance. By delving into the core elements of Ignatian spirituality, such as the Spiritual Exercises, discernment, and the concept of finding God in all things, this Issue seeks to highlight how these elements are grounded in theological concepts like the incarnation, the Trinity, and the paschal mystery. The scope of this Special Issue aligns with the journal's focus on theological and spiritual studies, offering insights that are both historically grounded and relevant to modern spiritual theology. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Historical context of Ignatian spirituality: exploring the influence of the Counter-Reformation and the broader ecclesiastical and cultural environment of the 16th century, as well as the 17th century, following the expulsion and restoration of the Society.
- Core theological principles and contributions of Jesuit theologians: Analyzing the theological concepts underpinning Ignatian spirituality, such as the incarnation, the Trinity, and the paschal mystery.
- Contemporary relevance: Discussing the application of Ignatian principles to modern challenges, including social justice, ecological concerns, and interfaith dialogue.
We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor (elopezh@comillas.edu) or to the Religions Editorial Office (religions@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Eduard López Hortelano
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- Jesuit tradition
- mystical theology
- Society of Jesus
- spiritual renewal
- ecclesiastical reform
- meditative practices
- doctrinal development
- faith and reason
- ethical implications
- cultural integration
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