The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the result of a long period of careful observation of children by Sofia Cavalletti and her Montessori collaborator, Gianna Gobbi, in Rome.

To speak about the history of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is to speak about two women living in Rome, Italy who became friends and collaborators and who devoted their life’s work to children.

Sofia Cavalletti was a Catholic laywoman and theologian who received a doctorate in Hebrew and Comparative Semitic Languages from La Sapienza University in Rome and who was a biblical scholar.

The way CGS began was quite by accident, without warning or planning, the way God so often comes into our lives. Sofia liked to say, “We started without knowing we started.”

A mother asked Sofia in 1954 to give some religious instruction to her seven-year-old son and two other boys. At first Sofia refused, saying she knew nothing about children. The mother persisted and Sofia consented. That experience with these children changed her life. She saw in those boys and in numerous other children, in the years that followed, a way of being in the presence of God that is both unique to the child and a gift to the adult who stops long enough to notice. Certainly, her background in Scripture made it possible for her to talk about God with these children in a way that opened and enthused them. Through her studies at the university, she had become accustomed to a rabbinical way of reading Scripture in which everyone is seated with open Bibles as co-listeners to the Word of God.

A mutual friend introduced Sofia to Montessori educator, Gianna Gobbi, who was well acquainted with the young child since she had been with children in the classroom for 15 years. She was also aware of Maria Montessori’s religious work and the use of materials designed for children to help them better understand the Catholic liturgy. The first materials that Gianna brought to Sofia were a small model altar and articles used at Mass. Sofia and Gianna noted the joy the children expressed even at their “awkward efforts.” It was enough of an impetus for them to continue their work and observation of children in a prepared environment called “the atrium” to better learn of the spiritual nature and religious potential. From that day to the present time, Sofia and Gianna remind us constantly to look to the child for that sign of a deeply religious life – joy – and to always ask the question: “What face of God is the child telling us he or she needs to see?”

• People to spread the word about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd coming to St. Monica

• People who can donate materials for the classrooms (wood, fabric, classroom supplies, etc.)

• People who can donate time to make materials the children will use

• People who are willing to become catechists and teach CGS

  • St. Monica will sponsor those interested in signing up for training

  • Please email [email protected] if interested in becoming a catechist