Commissura (formerly New Horizons) is a student-led, peer-reviewed journal that seeks to uplift the voices of emerging graduate scholars and writers of various disciplines within the field of theology. The Journal shares in JST's commitment to academic excellence and echoes the school’s dedication to the pursuit of culturally contextualized theology. As a transdisciplinary journal we urge students of theology to consider the various mediums available to them that can aid in the expression, exploration, and study of the field. We take photographs, paintings, homilies, poetry, interviews, book/movie reviews, articles, personal essays, short stories, etc.
The 36th General Congregation of Jesuits (2016) affirmed the enduring value of living and serving as a “discerning community with open horizons” (Decree 1, n.7). In the spirit of these words, Commissura is committed to the values of prophetic dialogue, global perspectives on faith and culture, and joyful witness of the Gospels. In all things, Commissura strives to remain true to the Catholic and Jesuit tradition of contemplation in action for the greater glory of God.
The views and opinions expressed by the Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of JST. Commissura is a peer-reviewed, open-access, online journal that publishes accepted articles biannually.
Call for Submissions and Guidelines
Commissura welcomes currently enrolled graduate students to submit their work to be considered for publication. Academic papers should be formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th. Ed., and comprise between 2,000-4,000 words. Homilies and pastoral reflections are held to the same word count. Poetry, prayer, artwork, and photography are highly welcomed components of the journal.
Volume 8 Issue 1:
The theme for the first issue of Commissura is the new title itself. The latin word Commissura can be defined or translated variously as boundary or dividing line, intersection, common point, joint, juncture, seam, or gap. In modern languages, it is primarily used as a biological or anatomical term referring to the meeting point of the borders of the apertures of an organism, such as lips and eyelids. A physical intersection. This journal seeks to explore the intersection between the physical and the metaphysical, the spiritual and the artistic, the old and the new, between the individual and the communal. It is an open exploration not only through each piece but through their grappling with each other because, as Douglas Burton Christie reminds us, “Life emerges nowhere else so fully and deeply as it does in the exchange across these borders.” We hope the theme will encourage submissions that span across methods, mediums, methodologies, and culture. The theme is open and flexible: we are seeking personal interpretations and applications of it.
Academic papers should be formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Ed., and comprise between 2000-4000 words. Homilies and pastoral reflections are held to the same word count. Poetry, prayer, artwork, photography, short stories, and photography are highly welcomed components of the journal.
Submissions should be uploaded by the end of the day on September 30, 2026. Accepted submissions will be published in December 2026. Please email commissurajst@scu.edu with any questions or inquiries.
Who Can Submit?
Any currently enrolled graduate student can submit an original article to be considered for publication in Commissura.
General Submission Rules
Submitted articles cannot have been previously published, nor be forthcoming in an archival journal or book (print or electronic). Please note: "publication" in a working-paper series does not constitute prior publication. In addition, by submitting material to New Horizons, the author is stipulating that the material is not currently under review at another journal (electronic or print) and that they will not submit the material to another journal (electronic or print) until the completion of the editorial decision process at Commissura. If you have concerns about the submission terms for Commissura , please email commissurajst@scu.edu.
History
The journal, formerly New Horizons, was formerly known as New Wineskins while it ran at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley (JSTB). of New Wineskins was published in Summer 2006 by Editor Tim Manatt, S.J. and an Editorial Board composed of Sean Dempsey, S.J., Bobbi Dykema Katsanis, Corinna Guerrero, and Pius Ojara, S.J. was published in Winter 2006/2007; was published in Spring 2007; in Fall 2007; in Spring 2008; in Spring 2009.
In continuity with New Wineskins New Horizons, Commissura hopes to honor the initially proposed transdisciplinary approach. The first issue of Commissura will be published in the fall of 2026.