Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

"Let the little children come to me." ~ Mt 19:14

In our current climate, it is rare to find a space specially designed to foster the deep and rich interior life of a child with God. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-style, liturgically based method of religious instruction that deeply respects the relationship God already has with a child, and also deeply respects the human development of children. 

Your donations will allow us to:

• Found an Atrium in the Northern Vicariate. An Atrium is a place especially designed for children to encounter Jesus through his Word and through prayer. Everything in an Atrium is simple, beautiful, and designed with the child in mind. The above video has footage of Atria, with the specific materials required for a three-year cycle of works. $2,000 and furniture flipping skills will provide reasonable funds for the necessary furniture, religious art, and materials for CGS sessions.
• Train catechists. Each CGS catechist is trained with 90 hours of in-person sessions and an additional 10 hours of observation, in addition to time each catechist takes to create some of the materials used in various works of the Atrium. Hosting a training costs $5,200. 
• Provide catechist materials. Each CGS catechist is required to participate in a professional association, purchase texts for training, and create album pages, a kind of learning plan for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sessions. We hope to train 5-8 catechists to ensure that we can provide a reasonable number of Atrium sessions and to protect the longevity of the Atrium. Books and materials cost about $200/person, with a total of $1,000 needed for materials. 

The article below shares more about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: 

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a distinct, deeply transformative approach to the religious formation of children. Rooted in both Sacred Scripture and the liturgy of the Church, CGS recognizes the spiritual potential of the child and honors their capacity to experience God directly. 

At its core, CGS is an experiential, hands-on approach that meets children where they are developmentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It was developed in Rome in the 1950s by Sofia Cavalletti, a biblical scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. Together, they created a method that nurtures a living relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The central image of Christ as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, calls them by name, and lays down His life for them is not only accessible to children but deeply resonates with their innate need for love, protection, and belonging.

What sets CGS apart from traditional religious education is its structure and approach. Children gather in a specially prepared space called the Atrium, a peaceful, contemplative environment designed to foster prayer, wonder, and discovery. Inside the Atrium, children work with beautifully crafted materials that correspond to Scripture passages or liturgical elements. For example, a child might explore a miniature altar, preparing the cruets and learning the gestures of the Mass, or meditate on the parable of the mustard seed using tactile, visual aids. Through these materials, children are not merely taught about God; they encounter Him.

Rather than focusing on the transmission of information, CGS emphasizes formation, especially spiritual formation. It trusts that children already have a relationship with God and seeks to nurture it in a way that is deeply respectful and reverent. The catechist in CGS is someone who prepares the environment, presents key biblical or liturgical themes, and then steps back to let the Holy Spirit work in the heart of the child. This respect for the child’s inner life is revolutionary and echoes Christ’s own words: “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14).

Another distinguishing feature of CGS is its reliance on the Montessori method, which values freedom within limits, self-directed activity, and learning through hands-on experience. This method aligns perfectly with the spiritual aims of CGS: to invite the child into an intimate dialogue with God, to foster contemplation rather than mere comprehension, and to help the child internalize the truths of the faith in a way that is personal and lasting.

Children formed in this way often display a profound sense of peace, spiritual maturity, and an ability to articulate theological truths in a deeply personal manner. CGS forms families and communities, as parents and catechists are also drawn into a deeper understanding of the faith alongside the children they accompany.

In a world saturated with noise, distraction, and superficiality, CGS offers something radical: silence, reverence, and a deep attentiveness to the voice of the Shepherd. Implementing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not simply adopting a new curriculum; it is embracing a whole new way of seeing the child, the Church, and the work of God in our midst.