The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the result of a long period of careful observation of children by Sofia Cavalletti and her Montessori collaborator, Gianna Gobbi, in Rome. It began quite by accident, without warning or planning, the way God so often comes into our lives.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an 'atrium,' a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use.
You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of children? If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer. But a little child, too young to read, needs another way. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it - placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God."
This explanation of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and other information on this catechesis comes from the The Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
There are many parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix that offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Some of them, but not all, can be located through the national association. If you have questions about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd or wish to contact someone for more information, please contact Leota Roesch in the Department of Family Catechesis.
For an overview of the Scriptural foundations, Catechism references, and topics covered in training, please click below:
Level 1 Course Description
Level 2 Course Description
Level 3 Course Description
For local training opportunities in catechesis of the Good Shepherd, please consult the website of the national association or go to Catechist Formation Opportunities on the Department of Famiy Catechesis Webpage.
