Sisters of Mercy currently serve as Chaplains in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, colleges and prisons. They try to give faithful witness to the God of Mercy. The term ‘Misericordiae’, or ‘heart that carries misery’ speaks of the role of Chaplain, of one who seeks to be with another and witness to God’s compassion. A synopsised job description of what a chaplain does can be found within the story of Jesus’ encounter with two dejected disciples on their way to Emmaus (Lk 24: 13-35). It is a story of accompaniment; Jesus meets the people, walks with them, invites them to a deeper life in Christ, and acknowledges their fears, their pain, and their hopes. The role of chaplain involves listening, respecting, sharing, encouraging and challenging those we meet. For Sisters who carry out this role, Catherine McAuley’s assertion about the immense value of ‘…the kind word, the compassionate look and the patient hearing of sorrow’ is affirmed daily.

A Chaplain is charged within a hospital setting, for example, to witness to a ‘faith presence’ within hospital culture. The search for meaning can be especially acute in times of vulnerability. Spiritual care therefore is important. In a medical setting the chaplain can stand as a reminder of the qualities of care and nurture at the heart of healing. ‘Being there’ as Chaplain with our personal resources and our limitations but centred in the God of Mercy, we have the capacity and great privilege ‘…to kindle and fan an extravagant hope…’ (T. Radcliffe) wherever we minister.

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