An atrium is a sacred space set apart for children for growing in their relationship with God.

- Historically an atrium was a gathering place between the Church and the street that was used for instructing catechumens before their baptism. Maria Montessori called the sacred space she designed for the catechesis of the children and atrium - as it was the place the children would gather to prepare for full entry into the church. When Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gabbi opened the doors to an environment specially developed for nurturing young children in their faith, they likewise called their space an atrium.

- Atriums of the Good Shepherd are rooms designed to optimize religious education of children, to develop their religious potential and to facilitate their participation in the life of the Church. They vary around the world from outdoor spaces under the spreading branches of a mango tree, to classrooms in schools or partitioned-off areas of church halls. See the photogallery for pictures of atriums across Canada.

- Atriums are prepared environments similar to a classrooms; however different in that they function as a ‘retreat house’ for children ages 3 –12 years of age. Using about 400 square feet of space which is dedicated specifically to this ministry, but shared spaces are acceptable as long as adults are avialable to set up the materials, tables and chairs prior to the arrival of the children.

ATRIUM PHOTO GALLERY
click here

Growing An Atrium
Experience indicates that the following are key practicalities involved in establishing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in a parish:

• Inspired adults: Parents, grandparents and faith filled adults who enjoy nurturing the spiritual potential of children, when they experience the impact of this catechesis, become the mainstay of this ministry. In order to provide this opportunity for children, parish members become catechists, assist in the atrium, paint and lay carpet, build shelving, make catechetical materials, and remain actively involved for several years.

• Community: The extended parish community also helps sustain this work by its nurturing and welcoming response, prayer, fund raising and sharing of their gifts, and perhaps space, to meet the needs of this ministry.

• Pastor: The encouraging leadership of a supportive pastor is invaluable.

• Space: Some parishes have been able to provide the ideal space - a room set-aside exclusively for the children. Other parishes have been able to implement this ministry by the creative use of shared space. For example, one parish uses part of their sacristy; another uses a choir loft.

• Catechetical Materials: One of the chief features of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the use of specially designed biblical and liturgical materials to help the children's prayer and meditation. These are either handmade by the catechists or by members of the parish community; this is a wonderful way of involving others in the ministry of catechesis. For example, in one parish the seniors volunteered to produce the materials; in another, a shop teacher and his class provided the woodworking expertise; in yet another, the Knights of Columbus stepped forward.

• Cost: This catechesis is financially feasible for any parish. Every parish has the talent and gifts to develop an atrium. Factor in the costs of preparing the space, furniture, materials and training for catechists.

RESOURCES --- Gallery of materials used in an atrium - click here

• The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey, Sofia Cavalletti, Patricia Coulter, Gianna Gobbi, Silvana Montanaro, M.D. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1994. ISBN 0-89944-272-2
  “The Good Shepherd and the Child offers parents and educators a gentle way to enter into and honour the genuine spiritual life of children.”
  
• The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children, Sofia Cavalletti. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1992. ISBN 0-929650-67-0
  “This book describes an experience with children form ages three to six, an experience of adults and children dwelling together n the mystery of God.”
  
• Listening to God with Children: The Montessori Method Applied to the Catechesis of Children, Gianna Gobbi. Loveland: Treehaus Communications, Inc., 1998. ISBN 1-886510-14-8
  “This work is the product of several decades of practical experience with children – blended with prayerful reflection on the way children hear God speak to them personally and with profound simplicity.”
  
• The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in a Parish Setting, Tina Lillig. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-56854-262-3
  “In this small book, Tina Lillig offers practical, step-by-step information to address the questions of pastors, directors of religious education, parish members, parents, catechists and anyone else interested in the great blessing that young children are to a parish community.”
  
• Living Liturgy: Elementary Reflections, Sofia Cavalletti, Patricia Coulter, Julie Coulter-English. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-56854-241-0
  “Living Liturgy is a book to help adults who catechize children understand for themselves the deep, most essential aspects of liturgy.”
  
• History's Golden Thread: The History of Salvation, Sofia Cavalletti. Chicago: Liturgical Training Publications, 1999. ISBN 1-56854-261-5
  “In this book, Sofia Cavalletti offers the reader a key to the reading of the Bible, following the “golden thread” of the history of salvation from the creation of the world to its final destiny in Christ, the Parousia."
  
  
• Journals of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Carol Cannon Dittberner. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-56854-254-2
  “These collected journals form 1984 to 1997 provide a valuable resource for Good Shepherd catechists…”
  
  
• Journals of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: 1998 to 2002, Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-56854-529-0
  “These collected journals from 1998 to 2002 provide a valuable resource for Good Shepherd catechists…”
  
  
• The Religious Potential of the Child 6-12, Sofia Cavalletti. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-56854-351-4
  “Here at last is the long-awaited continuation of The Religious Potential of the Child (from 3 to 6 years old)… This book will be a great help to educators and catechists who seek to understand the characteristics of the older child, particularly the child’s relationship with the mystery of God.”
  
  
• A Is for Altar, B Is for Bible, Judith Lang Main. Chicago: Liturgy training Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-56854-458-8
  “Every child learns ABCs. Using that familiar foundation, A Is for Altar, B Is for Bible presents some of the essential elements of our Christian faith in a prayerful and enjoyable format. Each letter of the alphabet is illuminated by an image and brief prayer drawn from scripture and liturgy.”
  
  
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Essential Realities, Edited by Tina Lillig. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2004. ISBN 1-56854-558-4
  “Adventure”, “Celebration”, “The Way of Love”, “Mysterious Growth”, -- these words, taken from some of the titles of the essays in this volume, convey the deep appreciation and commitment of those involved in the work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This celebration volume marks 50 years of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.”
  
  Videos:
  
  
• Discovering the Real Spiritual Life of Children, Sofia Cavalletti and Silvana Montanaro. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2000. ISBN 1-56854-384-0
  “In this address to the 1999 National American Montessori Conference, ‘Montessori and the Spiritual Development of the Child’, Cavalletti draws on her experience with children…Montanaro addresses the child’s development and in particular the child’s ability to appreciate his or her place in the evolution of the universe and as a part of God’s plan of salvation.”
  
  
• Mustard Seed: A Video Documentary on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Bert O’Bryan. Phoenix: Holy Family Catechetical Center, 1999
  “What I have attempted to accomplish here is a ‘novel assembly of the elements’ of the work known as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.”
  
  
• Where a Child Can Fall in Love With God, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, PO Box 1084, Oak Park, IL, 60304, 2003. www.cgsusa.org
  “Suggestions for presentation of this video: As part of an introduction of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to a parish community…”
  
  Music:
  
  
• Sing With Joy (CD and Song Book), Catherine Maresca. Loveland: Treehaus Communications, Inc., 2002
  “This collection of thirty-eight songs embodies a small musical tradition. These are songs widely sung by children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd… They celebrate the essentials of our faith – and, as such, are equally suitable for any catechetical or liturgical setting.”
  
  Resource Package:
  
  
• Baptism is a Beginning, Rebekah Rojcewicz. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1994.
  “The 14 handouts in this packet were designed to complement the parish’s baptismal preparation programme and to provide the parish with another way to offer support and guidance to parents as they begin to raise their children in faith."
  
  Remember:
  
  Good Shepherd Catechesis page on the Archdiocese web site: www.archtoronto.org
  (click Church Teaching and Learning; click Catechesis)
  Email address: gscatechesis@archtoronto.org
  
  The above resources are available for purchase through
  Joseph’s Inspirational, Inc.
  2721 Markham Road, Unit 39
  Scarborough, Ontario, M1X 1L5
  Tel: 416-291-1772 Fax: 416-291-1378
  Order toll free 1-877-756-73