The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey, Revised and Updated

by Sofia Cavalletti, Patricia Coulter, Gianna Gobbi

Anyone familiar with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has probably encountered the early description of this approach to the religious formation of the child in The Good Shepherd and the A Joyful Journey . With major contributions by Sofia Cavalletti, Gianna Gobbi, Silvana Montanaro, and Patricia Coulter, this book has long been a “core text’ for catechists and also for parents of children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Now there is a new edition, which reflects the changes in the presentations and the materials that Sofia Cavalletti made in the years before her death in August 2011. The original contributions of the authors are retained in Part I. In Part II, long time catechist and one of the first US catechists to study with Sofia Cavalletti, Rebekah Rojcewicz, has carefully outlined the current methods and developments in the work. This includes a selection of the key parables and scripture texts that are presented to the children. She also offers a new Introduction in which she describes the process by which the original authors and founders of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd came to recognize the child’s potential for a relationship with God and learned what nurtures that experience. The original art work by Julie Coulter-English is retained in this new edition.

Genres: Parenting, Education, Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality

Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1995

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, detailed, but concise writing in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This book provides background on the presentations and enhanced value of how they can be used with children of different ages.

[Jessica Romportl · Rating 5 out of 5]

After completing level 1 certification training last summer and a full year as a catechist in the atrium, I wish I would have read this sooner as it was super helpful for use in giving presentations or even as a refresher after training. The book gives not only information about CGS and religious formation for young children, but also practical and helpful explanations of each presentation given in the level 1 atrium. Of course, going through training is still necessary and the best way to learn and see each presentation and how how to give them but this is a great resource to aid in remembering the essentials, especially if you have anything missing from your album pages.

[Rosalind Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for Atrium .

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great prep for CGS. I look forward to irising the strategies within the program and classroom. I look forward to learning with the children. This will be a great resource moving forward.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great explanation of the lessons for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. It transmits by way of the heart with sound theological foundations.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I am attending the training class for my church to be a catechist in the atrium. This is a guide for how to implement the CGS in the atrium. It briefly explains the philosophical basis for the program with descriptions of Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi (founders of CGS) but the majority of the book is actual descriptions of the presentations. It is helpful for planning out the presentations and even provides an outline of the curriculum centered around the liturgical calendar. Very helpful if you will be teaching in the atrium. Does read like a textbook.

[Karen L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of Montessori school philosophy and ideas, but there are a few excellent suggestions for teaching about the Mass, and the parables of Jesus. It could be used for families or Sunday School classes in some Anglican churches-particularly Anglo-catholic, or Roman Catholics (whom the book was written for.) It has another wonderful section on the liturgical seasons.