Definition: Catechumenship is a term used in the Bible to describe the children of Israel during their wanderings through the wilderness. The word "catechet" means "children," and "menses" refers to menstruation, which was a period associated with childbirth for women during this time. During the wandering days, the Israelites were separated from the Promised Land by the Jordan River, and they had to find their way back to Egypt. At that time, they were given the