What Does “Catechumen” Mean in the Bible?
Office or title
An adult who is preparing to receive Baptism.
It can mean
- Their path: it is called the catechumenate. It prepares them to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist together.
- Already part of the family: the Church embraces them as her own, even though they are not yet baptized.
- If they die before: their desire for Baptism, with repentance and love, assures them of salvation.
Today
Lent prepares the catechumens for their Baptism. The Easter Vigil, on the holy night, is celebrated with the sacraments.
Where it appears in the Bible
Acts 8:36; Acts 8:37; Acts 8:38
What the Bible says
Acts 8:36
And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what doth hinder me from being baptized?
Acts 8:37
And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catechism 1247-1249, 1232 and 1259; Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 21 and 27