Reflection: “Like the Snail, We Carry Home With Us”
At first glance, a snail may seem like a surprising comparison for a Chaplain. Yet in its quiet, unassuming journey, the snail offers profound wisdom that speaks directly to the heart of Chaplaincy. The snail moves slowly, but deliberately—always with purpose, always with presence. Like the snail, the Chaplain does not rush. We listen. We pause. We arrive fully. We bring the sacred with us.
A snail carries its shell—not as baggage, but as home. Likewise, we carry our spiritual presence wherever we go. Whether at a hospital bedside, in a classroom, or at a family’s moment of grief, we offer shelter. Our calling is not bound by walls or titles, but by the deep truth that wherever we are, care can begin. Healing can begin. Sacred space can be formed.
The snail also reminds us of the power of protection. Its shell guards it from harm, and yet it remains soft, vulnerable, and exposed underneath. As Chaplains, we too must hold the paradox of strength and softness. We offer guidance with integrity, but never at the cost of compassion. We shield others by being a safe place for their fears, their doubts, their hopes—and still, we must tend to our own inner selves with gentleness and truth.
In nature, snails leave a trail—not just a mark, but a lifeline. Moisture. Nourishment. Presence. It’s not about leaving a trace to be noticed, but a trail that affirms: I was here, and I cared. So too do we serve—not for recognition, but to leave behind sacred moments, reconciled hearts, and comfort in suffering.
To every Chaplaincy Pro student and practicing Chaplain: let us embrace the way of the snail. Let us be slow to speak and quick to listen. Let us carry the sacred like a home on our back. Let us leave behind a path of care that nourishes the spirit and affirms dignity.
The world does not need more noise. It needs sacred stillness. It needs those who know how to travel slowly, love deeply, and show up fully. Like the snail, let us journey with sacred intention—resilient, present, and unwavering.
