History of Chaplaincy
There are two historical backgrounds to Chaplaincy ministry. The two historical backgrounds gave us good insight to what chaplaincy is all about. These are: 1) Biblical background as told by our Lord Jesus Christ and 2) Historical background as told by Martin Turenensis
- Biblical background as told by our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ in narrating the story of good Samaritan according to the book of St. Luke chapter ten from verses thirteen-one to thirty-seven gave us good insight of primary role of chaplaincy – caring for the needy.
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37 (NIV). The needs could be salvation, hunger, care, freedom, help, support, etc.
In continuation of Jesus narration about chaplaincy, he told the story of a king according to the book of St. Matthew chapter twenty-five from verses thirty-four to forty-six.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matt 25:34-46 (NIV)
He gave us the clue of what is expected of a good Christian chaplain which are; taking care of those around us most especially in time of need. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, watering the thirty, comforting the distressed and ultimately saving the lost.
- Historical background as told by Martin Turenensis, of Tours (Sanctus Martinus Turenensis – 316-397 AD). In the year 347 AD Martinus Turenensis was a sergeant in the French army. While riding on a cold, rainy morning came across a beggar who wet and shivering with cold. Martinus took his sword and cut his cape, for he couldn’t give him the whole cape for it belonged to the French army. He covered the beggar, a alleviating his suffering. Then came to the story that Jesus appeared to him the next night to thank him for what he did for the beggar.
Martinus decided then to leave the army and become a religious man, becoming the bishop to tours in 370 AD. After his death a small church was constructed to house the other half of Martinus’ cape, which becomes known as cape church, Chappell, where the term chaplain comes from.
The priest that was designated to care of the little church because knows as the chaplain.
In 1789 this little was abolished by the pope and reestablished by PIO IX in 1857. At that time the chaplain was the spiritual leader of the king and his representatives. The work extended to prisons, schools, cemeteries, hospitals and even to parliament.
According to the Britannic encyclopedia, chaplain means priest in charges of religious services in a non-parochial church, the community, a hospital, school, prison, etc.
When you vividly look at the two historical backgrounds, you will discover that both are targeting same thing – chaplaincy: a ministry of help which administers satisfactory condition to those in dire need of God’s and human kindness. The ministry of chaplaincy is almost a forgotten mandate in the 21st century world where the saying “be your brother’s keepers” is almost faded in people’s diary. The world is gradually becoming a place of “:mind your own business” regardless of the suffering being experienced by those you are surrounded with.
The political leaders deceive their citizens during campaign to garner votes, immediately they win elections, they shut the door against the electorates who voted them into power. The spiritual leaders most especially the church leaders are gradually shutting their doors against the congregation which they ride upon to become popular and public figure. They have invented so many ideologies that shut their congregation from benefiting from their mandate or opportunities the church brings.
The need to bring back sanity to our society cannot be over-emphasized, hence the return to the basis of Christianity – meeting other people need, putting others first, caring for the needy around us and giving back to the society from the blessings we have received from God.
Today God is calling you into this all-important ministry. The command is already given according to the book of Matthew chapter twenty-eight from verses eighteen to twenty.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:16-20 (NIV)
With this information at your fingertips, I counsel you to take up the mantle of chaplaincy today and be enrolled in our chaplaincy academy for 1-month online training on basics of chaplaincy ministry with support to launch out towards reaching the world for Christ. Please obtain your form today via https://ifcci.org/icca-form/