catechist

American  

[kat-i-kist] / ˈkæt ɪ kɪst /

noun

1. a person who catechizes.

2. Ecclesiastical. a person appointed to instruct catechumens in the principles of religion as a preparation for baptism.

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Other Word Forms

• catechistic adjective
• catechistical adjective
• catechistically adverb
• noncatechistic adjective
• noncatechistical adjective

Etymology

Origin of catechist

1555–65; < Late Latin catēchista < Greek katēchistḗs, equivalent to katēch ( eîn ) to teach by word of mouth, originally to din down, i.e. to get results by shouting ( kat- cata- + ēcheîn to sound) + istēs -ist

Example Sentences

Francis is scheduled to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday afternoon and address young people and catechists in the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa, the capital, on Thursday morning.

From Reuters

Lectors read from scripture, acolytes serve at Mass, and catechists teach the faith to children and adult converts.

From Reuters

The new law creating the lay ministry of catechists officially recognizes for the universal Catholic Church a practice that has been used for centuries in local dioceses.

From Seattle Times

Her mother was a catechist at her local parish who instilled in Alvarez lessons in human dignity for the poor, friends said.

From Los Angeles Times

And that’s why Zielinski was surprised: “Black Elk Speaks” makes no mention of the Oglala Lakota holy man’s baptism in his 40s and subsequent career as a catechist - teacher of the faith.

From Washington Times