A Deep Dive into the Divine: Exploring the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Montessori Education By Reese Kennedy

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a unique approach to religious formation that harmoniously blends Montessori educational principles with deep liturgical and scriptural engagement. Developed in the mid-20th century by Hebrew scholar Sofia Cavalletti and Montessori-trained educator Gianna Gobbi, CGS offers children a rich, hands-on way to explore their faith. Dr. Andrew Seeley and Richena Curphey, in their article A Deep Dive into the Divine: The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, highlight the profound impact this method has on a child’s spiritual development.

The Atrium: A Sacred Learning Space

At the heart of the CGS experience is the "Atrium"—a carefully prepared environment filled with child-sized liturgical furnishings and scriptural models. Within this sacred space, children encounter hands-on materials such as a miniature altar, a baptismal font, and figurines depicting key biblical narratives. These tangible objects allow young learners to engage deeply with the mysteries of faith, fostering a personal and profound connection to the divine.

A Child’s Spiritual Capacity

One compelling example from Seeley and Curphey’s article illustrates the depth of understanding that CGS nurtures. During a Mass, a six-year-old child, upon hearing a reading from St. Paul’s letter, excitedly whispered to his mother, "The Parousia!"—a Greek term referring to the Second Coming of Christ. Such a moment underscores how the CGS method encourages children to grasp complex theological concepts naturally and meaningfully.

Montessori and Faith: A Perfect Pairing

CGS aligns seamlessly with Montessori principles, respecting the child’s innate spiritual curiosity and capacity for contemplation. By allowing children to explore and reflect at their own pace, this method not only imparts religious knowledge but also nurtures a deep, lifelong love for the liturgy and a personal relationship with God.

Bringing CGS into Your Montessori Program

For small Montessori schools looking to enrich their religious education, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers an approach that integrates faith with hands-on learning. By incorporating CGS into your curriculum, you provide children with an opportunity to embark on a spiritual journey that is as profound as it is personal.

As Dr. Seeley and Curphey emphasize, CGS offers a "full-immersion learning experience of the faith." This transformative approach, when adopted within a Montessori setting, nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—while fostering a deeper understanding of their relationship with God.

By embracing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Montessori educators can offer a deeply meaningful religious education, ensuring that faith formation is not just taught but lived and experienced in a way that resonates with the child’s natural development.