2nd and 3rd Points of Reflection

The Characteristics of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

32 Points of Reflection

What are the principal points which distinguish this catechesis and because of which it is called the “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”?  The following characteristics are intended to represent the principal aspects of the catechesis as they have emerged after more than fifty years of work with children of different countries, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.  These characteristics are reflective of the constants which have presented themselves in this work and are presented here with the invitation to go deeper into them for further reflection.

Continuing....

2.    With this aim in mind, the catechist embraces Maria Montessori’s vision of the human being and thus the attitude of the adult regarding the child; and prepares an environment called the atrium, which aids the development of the religious life.

3.    The atrium is a community in which children and adults live together a religious experience which facilitates participation in the wider community of the family, the church and other social spheres.

• The atrium is a place of prayer, in which work and study spontaneously become meditation, contemplation and prayer.
• The atrium is a place in which the only Teacher is Christ; both children and adults place themselves in a listening stance before his Word and seek to penetrate the mystery of the liturgical celebration.