Spiritual Discernment in Chaplaincy Practice: Seeking Guidance in Life's Choices

Authors

  • William P. Selig

Keywords:

Spiritual discernment, Chaplaincy, Presence

Abstract

This reflective essay emerges from hospital chaplaincy practice. Through bedside encounters and conversations with families, spiritual discernment is explored as a slow, relational process shaped by presence, listening, and accompaniment. It honors vulnerability, shared meaning, and human dignity.

 

Downloads

Published

2026-04-25

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 46 (2026): HOLY GROUND: PLACE, PRESENCE, AND FORMATION FOR MINISTRY

Section

ARTICLES

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

    1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

    1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).