A Sacred Space
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Christian formation process for children aged 3 to 12 years, in which they experience and form an authentic, faithful relationship with God. The Catechesis is grounded in scriptural and liturgical study then framed by Maria Montessori’s principles of education.
This allows children to hear the Gospel through the use of sensorially rich materials. The children are free to work with these materials that represent essential proclamations of the Christian message.
The adult’s task is to prepare the sacred space for the children, called the 'atrium’, so that they can respond to this relationship first proclaimed to them through Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
The atrium is a place of community and worship rather than a classroom for academic study. It is a place to be with and enjoy God, listen to the Word, and to pray. It is designed to reflect the beauty of creation and God’s abiding love.