Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Bismarck Diocese | Bismarck, ND

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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) brings the child in contact with God in a unique and special way. Dr. Maria Montessori began to develop this form of catechesis for children, building upon her rich method of education developed in the early 1900's. It was not until 1954, however, that Sofia Cavalletti, an Italian Hebrew scripture scholar, was put in contact with Gianna Gobbi, a trained Montessorian. Over the course of many decades, Cavalletti and Gobbi built upon the rich foundation of religious formation laid out by Dr. Montessori herself. Today, we can find children across the globe benefitting from the arduous work of Cavalletti and Gobbi. 

This method of religious formation has been developed for children from birth to age 12. From a very young age, the child is put into contact with God through the mystery of the Incarnation, the Kingdom Parables, and is afforded an opportunity to explore in more detail the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Through hands-on work with specially prepared materials and a prepared environment called the atrium, children experience the faith in a concrete way. As they grow older, the child will be introduced to moral formation, the Old Testament and typology, as well as the riches of prayer and devotions of the Catholic Church. The Lord invites the children to "come and see" for themselves what He desires to give them; to remain with Him, as the branches on the Vine. 

The Atrium
What is this word Atrium? Montessori coined this term recalling the part of the Early Christian church building where catechumens would gather in preparation to join the Church. How fitting that this special room in which we are preparing our children to enter/participate in the church be called the same! The Atrium is the meeting ground of two mysteries: the mystery of God and the mystery of the child 
“An interpersonal relationship is always a mystery; it is more so when it involves a relationship with God; when the relationship is between God and the child the mystery is greater still.” (Sofia Cavalletti) 

Each atrium is specially designed with child-sized furniture including a prayer table for gathering, a model altar, as well as materials to deepen their familiarity with more parables and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass itself. After being presented with new material in as an individual or small group lesson, children are free to choose work which particularly speaks to them to foster the growth of their own relationships with God.

The Catechist
Dr. Montessori, in her method of education, speaks of three essential elements: the child, the prepared environment and the prepared adult. Catechesis of the Good Sheperd builds upon these three elements and provides a rigorous formation for catechists so that they may be the link between the children and the atrium, which is the prepared environment for this religious formation. The atrium consists of all the materials the child will need to foster independence and personal spiritual growth. The catechists are simply co-listeners with the child to the movements of the Holy Spirit, presenting the materials to the child and then disappearing as the child’s own inner guide and Teacher, the Holy Spirit, directs his mind and heart.
 
Training:
Training is offered in the diocese regularly. For more information about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training visit bismarckdiocese.com/cgs or contact Neil Albaña at nalbana@bismarckdiocese.com or 701-204-7206.
 
Additional Resources
            National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
            The Prairie Sheepfold - local group for CGS Catechists to connect and continue formation