catechist

[ kat-i-kist ]

noun

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

Other Words From

• cate·chistic cate·chisti·cal adjective
• cate·chisti·cal·ly adverb
• noncat·e·chistic adjective
• noncat·e·chisti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechist¹

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

At Sunday’s Mass the pope installed six women and two men as lectors and three women and five men as catechists.

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

“I know a lot of people in my circle of friends and acquaintances who have worked as a catechist, and they’re not up for sainthood,” she says.

From Washington Times