The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a religious formation method for children based on the educational philosophies of Maria Montessori. It was developed in Rome, Italy in 1954 by Sofia Cavaletti (a Hebrew Scripture scholar) and Gianna Gobbi (a former assistant to Maria Montessori).
Children experience Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in an atrium, a sacred space where work and study spontaneously become contemplation and prayer. In the atrium, children are exposed to hands-on catechetical learning materials. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has spread worldwide and was adopted in 2009 by the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa's order.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd consists of three levels:
Level I (grades Pre3-K)
Level II (grades 1-3)
Level III (grades 4-6)
Epiphany Catholic School adopted the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd beginning in the 2015-16 school year. We currently have Level I and Level II atria and are working towards implementing Level III. We are focused on helping our school children fall in love with Jesus and fostering their relationships with God. What a blessing!
Please contact Veronica Herr if you have any questions.
CGS Links
More Schools and Parishes are Adopting the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Our own Epiphany Catholic School CGS is featured in this Catholic Post article.Article: Few catechists in this country could have predicted the popularity of a religious education movement called the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
CGS in the School - (with pictures from our school)
The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd website
GoodShepherdStatue