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Chaplaincy: meaning, definitions and examples

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chaplaincy

 

[ ˈʧæplənsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious role

Chaplaincy refers to the ministry or work of a chaplain, who provides spiritual support and guidance to individuals in various institutions such as hospitals, military, schools, or prisons. Chaplains often perform religious services, offer counseling, and support individuals in times of crisis. The role emphasizes the importance of addressing spiritual needs alongside physical and emotional care. Chaplaincy can vary significantly depending on the institution and the specific beliefs and needs of the community served.

Synonyms

clergy, ministry, pastoral care, spiritual care

Examples of usage

  • The hospital's chaplaincy offered comfort to patients.
  • During the war, the military chaplaincy played a crucial role in maintaining morale.
  • The school's chaplaincy organized events for spiritual growth.
  • She joined the chaplaincy to help those in crisis.
  • His experience in the chaplaincy allowed him to counsel grieving families.

Translations

Translations of the word "chaplaincy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 capelania

🇮🇳 चैपलिन की सेवा

🇩🇪 Kaplanat

🇮🇩 kapelan

🇺🇦 капеланство

🇵🇱 kapelanstwo

🇯🇵 チャプレンシー

🇫🇷 chapellerie

🇪🇸 capellanía

🇹🇷 papazlık

🇰🇷 채플 인턴십

🇸🇦 الخدمة الكنسية

🇨🇿 kaplanství

🇸🇰 kaplánstvo

🇨🇳 牧师职务

🇸🇮 kapelanstvo

🇮🇸 kaplansvið

🇰🇿 капеландық

🇬🇪 კაპელანობა

🇦🇿 kapellançılıq

🇲🇽 capellanías

Etymology

The word 'chaplaincy' originates from the Middle Ages, derived from the Latin 'capella', which means 'hood' or 'cloak'. This term is linked to the story of St. Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop. According to legend, St. Martin shared his cloak with a beggar during a snowstorm, and later he experienced a vision of Christ wearing that cloak. A church was later built at the site where this event happened, and the relic of his cloak became a point of pilgrimage. The term eventually evolved to represent a group of priests in charge of the care of a certain chapel or religious order. Over time, chaplains were appointed to various secular institutions where they provided spiritual leadership, which solidified the modern application of the term 'chaplaincy' in military, hospital, and educational contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,060 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.