Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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CHAMBERLAIN

Over the centuries, the title of several classes of prelates of the Holy See, including: privy chamberlains, who compose the college of masters of pontifical ceremony; privy chamberlains to His Holiness, who are honored for special service to the Church; chamberlains of honor extra urbem, who are priests chosen from cities outside of Rome, who have the title of monsignor, and who in turn are subdivided into various classes; and chamberlains of honor of sword and cape, who may not be persons of distinction but nevertheless are deserving of recognition. (Etym. Latin camera, a chamber.)