What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Christian method of formation which enables children 3-12 to encounter and contemplate the mystery and the love of God and to grow in relationship with him. This approach is inspired by Maria Montessori’s principles of education. The specially prepared environment or atrium, and hands-on materials, help the child to absorb the Word of God by reflecting on key passages from scripture, such as the Parable of the Good Shepherd. A sequence of presentations on aspects of the Eucharist, assists the child’s understanding and prepares him or her to engage more fully with the Mass.
A “religious experience that responds to a deep hunger in the child”.
— Sofia Cavaletti
A sacred prepared environment “where work easily becomes meditation and prayer”
— Gianna Gobbi
Who is it for?
There are three levels to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I (for 3 to 6 year olds), Level II (6 to 9 year olds) and Level III (9 to 12 year olds). There are also moves towards developing a variant for infants.
Training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
Who is CGS training for?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
What is training like?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Grow it.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
How can Catechesis of the Good Shepherd benefit a parish?
CGS provides an effective way to help children hear the Word of God and engage with the Mass;
It provides a model of fostering prayer for children which parents can use in the home;
It builds community as parishioners with a variety of skills working together to prepare the materials and the sacred environment called the Atrium, and
the inspiring materials can also be used to support catechesis in other contexts e.g. RCIA, Baptism Preparation
“Having seen the Good Shepherd programme in another part of the country I was delighted to find out that we had a Good Shepherd Catechist within our parish. We are truly blessed in having this facility for our young ones, as they learn about the wonders of the faith through this inspiring programme.I would certainly endorse the Good Shepherd programme and would recommend it to my brother priests”
- Fr Richard Reid- St Mary’s Clapham
“I am confident that the encounter with the Good Shepherd experienced by 3-6 year olds which I witnessed in the atrium will stay with them their whole life.” - Mary Maye, CGS Catechist Clapham
