We believe that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another, particularly before the age of six; that growth of this relationship should be assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God; that children need their own place to foster the growth of that relationship; and that the child’s spiritual growth is best served through tangible but indirect means. Our mission is to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was born from the joy of the children in their encounter with God and lives in being nourished by this joy. It has also been observed that children of the same developmental stage even though belonging to different cultural backgrounds, respond to certain elements of the Christian message in the same way. Over time through being with children in a specially prepared environment called an atrium, observing and listening to their responses, scriptural and liturgical themes developed that most resonated with children’s religious needs according to their age levels. Thus, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd divests itself of any strictly scholastic character, so as to become an experience of life, an education in faith, and a celebration of the encounter with the Father, in listening to Jesus, the one Teacher, and in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
(Source: The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Office of Formation, www.cgsusa.org)

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method of catechesis based upon the belief that in order to best serve the religious needs and capacities of children, especially the youngest children, there needs to be a prepared environment called the atrium and a prepared adult called the catechist. The environment and the materials are indirect instruments to serving children’s religious life. However, as Gianna Gobbi, one of the co-founders of CGS, writes in Listening to God with Children, “the most carefully prepared environment will be of little use if the catechist is not also carefully prepared.” It is the catechist who brings to life for the child the atrium environment and the materials, so that the child can hear and receive the Word that is being proclaimed. This catechesis is a religious experience shared by children and adults. The catechist, through formation, learns how to create the spiritual environment that is conducive for being attentive and responsive to God’s presence. The prepared catechist is a gift not only for the children, but also, the faith community. Learn more here.

(Source: The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Office of Formation, www.cgsusa.org)
 

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3

One of the core characteristics of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is that it “can be realized in any social or cultural setting.” (32 Points of Reflection of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd). Celine Mitchell shares with us how she witnessed the universality of this work as she traveled to different countries bringing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to all, including the Missionaries of Charity.