in the beginning…

Though it is almost twenty years ago that I sat for my comprehensive examination in theology at Regis College, University of Toronto, I remember well the moment when, having presented, to the best of my ability, the mission of God the Son, in loving relationship with God the Father, a professor asked me, somewhat sternly, “Well Michael, what about the Holy Spirit?” He then correctly cited Thomas Aquinas and Augustine on the matter, and hit the final blow, asking me to define passive “spiration.” Despite being frazzled by the question, I passed the exam, no doubt carried by the proceeding love of our Triune God.

As my old professor asked of me at that moment, so does Fr. Jos Moons (elc) ask, in the present issue of Studies, “What about the Holy Spirit?” And as Fr. Moons develops his argument with reference to the primary sources, we see anew the seeming incongruity between the evident importance of the Spirit in the life of St. Ignatius and the conspicuous absence of reference to the Spirit in the Exercises. But by guiding the reader carefully through the traditional explanations for this lacuna, Fr. Moons brings us to both a new insight and a new pastoral response to the question. 

In gratitude for this thought-provoking contribution, we look forward to receiving more of such to be put forward in future editions and, in the meantime, wish one and all every blessing in the summer ahead.

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit

OThat my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
That I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
To defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
That I always may be holy.

—“Holy Spirit Prayer of St. Augustine,” loyolapress.com

Questions for Reflection:

1. What do I think about the Holy Spirit? What sort of things does the Spirit do? What images of the Holy Spirit help me in my prayer and reflection? How do I see the Holy Spirit along with the Father and the Son?

2. Fr. Moons takes a pneumatological approach to speaking about Ignatian spirituality in general and consolation in particular. How do I live Ignatian spirituality and what shape does consolation take in my faith life? And what role, small or large, does the Holy Spirit play in all this?

3. Fr. Moons encourages boldness in naming the Spirit when we present Ignatian spirituality. How do I talk about Ignatian spirituality? Would I wish to speak about the Spirit more than I do and, if so, how? And if not, how would I rather speak?

Jos Moons (ELC) currently serves as an assistant professor on the theology faculty of Boston College. He holds both a canonical degree (STD) and a doctorate (PhD) from Tilburg University in the Netherlands and has published extensively on spiritual direction, the Holy Spirit, and synodality. His dissertation appeared as The Holy Spirit, the Church, and Pneumatological Renewal: Mystici Corporis, Lumen Gentium and Beyond (Brill 2022).

APA

Knox, M. L., S.J. (2026). in the beginning … . Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits, 58(1), 3–5. https://doi.org/10.6017/ssj.v58i1.21812

CMOS

Knox, Michael L., S.J. “in the beginning … .” Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits 58, no. 1 (2026): 3–5. https://doi.org/10.6017/ssj.v58i1.21812

MLA

Knox, Michael L., S.J. “in the beginning … .” Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits, vol. 58, no. 1, 2026, pp. 3–5. https://doi.org/10.6017/ssj.v58i1.21812

Turabian

Knox, Michael L., S.J. “in the beginning … .” Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits 58, no. 1 (2026): 3–5. https://doi.org/10.6017/ssj.v58i1.21812