catechumenal

English

Adjective

catechumenal (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to a catechumen, or to the process and preparation for baptism.
   • 1851, Richard Paul Blakeney, A manual of Romish controversy: a complete refutation of the Creed of pope Pius IV:

     […] and they that are to be ordained successively kneeling, one by one, before him, he anoints, with the catechumenal oil, both the hands, joined together, of each one, in the form of a cross, […]

   • 1876, Wolfred Nelson Cote, The Archaeology of Baptism, page 108:

     After which, the celebrant pours catechumenal oil into the water, in the form of a cross, saying, in an audible voice): Be this font sanctified and made prolific by the oil of salvation to those that are to be born of the same unto eternal life.

   • 1991, Edward J. Power, A Legacy of Learning: A History of Western Education, page 95:

     Nothing in their experience substituted for the work of the Christian family, so Christian leaders quickly perceived the need to organize catechumenal schools to prepare converts for the sacrament of baptism.

Related terms

• Neocatechumenal

Translations

of or pertaining to a catechumen

• Spanish: catecumenal