Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium
Click here to read about First Communion Preparation
in the CGS Atrium.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an "atrium," a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use.
You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of children? If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer. But a little child, too young to read, needs another way. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it - placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.
(From Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA)
John XXIII Montessori Children’s Center’s mission is to bring this beautiful CGS program to the Front Royal, VA community. CGS is approved in our local Arlington, VA diocese for use as a catechetical program for the sacramental preparation of children 3-12 years of age. Atrium classes for children ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 are available and have ongoing enrollment as there continues to be space available. A 30-class session begins in September and runs through May. Leading the Atrium are Catechists who have completed formation classes certified by the national CGS office.
