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CATECHUMEN

A learner, a person being instructed preparatory to receiving baptism and being admitted into the Church. The length of the catechumenate varies: in parts of Africa it may require a minimum of four years before the candidate is ready for baptism. (Etym. Greek katekhouminos, one instructed.)

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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