The Good Shepherd and the Child CGSUSA

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them.” Mark 10:14 
 
Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 
Read the article “Characteristics of the Good Shepherd Catechesis Number 27” HERE 
What are the principal points which distinguish this catechesis and because of which it is called the “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”? 
We have 32 characteristics that 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 socioeconomic 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. Read all 32 Points of Reflection HERE 
 
In the 2020 CGS Journal Francesca Cocchini wrote an article about characteristic #27.  Today we will listen to that article as well as discuss it with Marty O’Bryan.  Marty also answers one of our listener’s questions about how to manage a level one atrium and still follow the child with many little ones. Read the article HERE 
 
Characteristic #27: 
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is also concerned with helping adults open their eyes to the hidden riches of the child, especially to the child’s spiritual wealth, so that adults will be drawn to learn from the child and to serve him/her. The guiding principles in this endeavor are: 
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd does not seek success. 
It does not set about to be important or to impress others. (Isaiah 10:33-11:10) 
It is faithful to the spirit of the mustard seed. (Matthew 13: 31) 
It stands in solidarity with the least in the church. 
 
Marty O’Bryan began her formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with Sofia Cavalletti in 1983 and has been a catechists since 1985. She conducts adult formations at Levels I, II and III throughout the United States. A retired speech and language pathologist, Marty holds a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from Aquinas Institute of Theology. Currently, she works with children in Level I, II, and III atria in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. 
 
Further Reading: 
 
2020 Journal of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 
The Religious Potential of the Child by Sofia Cavalletti  
The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old by Sofia Cavalletti 
 
Other Episodes You Might Enjoy 
 
Episode 94-CGS Characteristics #17, 18, 19, and 20 with Lynda Catalano and Diane Olsen 
Episode 95- CGS Characteristics #21 and 25 with Lynne Worthington and Marty O’Bryan 
 
Learn more about the 40th Anniversary Celebration of CGSUSA HERE 
 
 
AUDIOBOOK: 
 
Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 
CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 
The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 
 
Find out more about CGS: 
 
Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 
  
 
Follow us on Social Media- 
Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 
Instagram-  cgsusa 
Twitter- @cgsusa 
Pinterest- Natl Assoc

“Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 
 
“Help us, O God, to enter into the secret of childhood, so that we may know, love and serve the child in accordance with the laws of thy justice and following thy holy will.” Maria Montessori  
 
Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 
 
Artwork/Figure 11 from The Religious Potential of the Child that Rebekah speaks about 
 
We are so happy to announce that Nurturing the Whole Child: Montessori Principles Applied to the Catechesis of Children by Gianna Gobbi is now available in print and on Kindle! For many years we have been looking to update, clarify, and add to Gianna’s written work that was held in the book Listening to God with Children.  This is now published through our CGSUSA imprint with Liturgy Training Publications.  It is a beautiful book with chapters from Gianna that were written after the publication of Listening to God with Children. It had photos and an appendix of articles from others who have written about Gianna, including her closest collaborator, Sofia Cavalletti. 
Rebekah joins us on the podcast to share with us about Gianna and the story of bringing her writing to us.  
Rebekah is a catechist and formation leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd having completed her training in 1981 in Rome with Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi. She has translated several of their books and articles from the original Italian and has written and edited various parts of the CGS core texts. Rebekah is a catechist at her parish, St. Patrick Catholic Church, and for the Missionaries of Charity atrium in Memphis, Tennessee. She serves on the formation committee of CGSUSA, as well as on the International Board for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 
 
 
Further Reading: 
 
Purchase Nurturing the Whole Child HERE 
Purchase the Commemorative Journal: Gianna Gobbi 1919 – 2002 HERE 
Purchase A Year with Sofia Cavalletti: Daily Reflections on the Spirtual and Theological Influences of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd by Ann Garrido 
 
Other Episodes with Rebekah- 
 
Episode 2- God and the Child  
 
Episode 10- A Reflection on the Good Shepherd 
 
Episode 26- Life in the Vine 
 
Episode 33 – Moral Formation 
 
Episode 71 – A Glimpse at Sofia Cavalletti 
 
Episode 97- The International Consiglio 
 
 
Other Episodes About Gianna or Her Writing- 
 
Episode 3 - Chapter 1 “The Environment” and chapter 2 “The Adult”  
 
Episode 78- A Glimpse of Gianna Gobbi 
 
Episode 93- The Meaning, Importance, and Limitations of our Catechetical Materials 
 
Episode 98 – Welcoming the Children 
 
 
 
Learn more about the 40th Anniversary Celebration of CGSUSA HERE 
 
 
 
AUDIOBOOK: 
 
Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 
CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 
The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 
 
Find out more about CGS: 
   
Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd  
  
Follow us on Social Media- 
Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 
Instagram-  cgsusa 
Tw

"One body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 
 
“What have we done to Christianity? We have made it into a lot of rules; but Christianity is to enjoy a Person.” Fr Dalmazio Mongillo 
 
Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 
 
Claudia joins us on the podcast to share with us some of her memories about Father Mongillo as well as tell us about his teachings regarding the pedagogy of God and the child.  
 
Claudia Margarita Schmitt lived in many different countries throughout her life. She has discovered over time that her roots are first in her Roman Catholic faith and also in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  Everywhere she goes she recognizes the same language being used to discover the mystery of God. As an international formation leader for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She constantly has this experience of finding her roots.  She has been a catechist for 33 years and a formation leader for 32.  She lived for 8 years in Rome studying and working with Gianna Gobbi and Sofia Cavalletti. She describes this time as precious and that they taught her many things but first to be humble. 
 
 
Further Reading: 
Journal Articles by Fr Mongillo: 
History and Prayer 2004 Journal  
About Justice: A Meditation 1999 Journal – Read HERE 
Covenant, Collaboration, & Children 2007 Journal  
A Letter from Father Mongillo 2006 Journal  
Learning to Love 2009 Journal – Purchase HERE Read HERE 
The Vocation to Become Human 2011 Journal – Purchase HERE 
Sofia’s article about Fr Mongillo from the 2006 Journal, read HERE 
A Year with Sofia Cavalletti by Ann Garrido 
Essential Realities, Ch. 2 Catechesis as Celebration by Fr Mongillo 
 
Heritage Episodes- 
Episode 60- Pioneers of CGS with Betty Hissong 
Episode 68- The CGS Heritage- Eugenio Zolli 
Episode 76- The CGS Heritage- Romano Guardini 
Episode 92- Who was Adele Costa Gnocchi  
 
 
AUDIOBOOK: 
 
Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 
CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 
The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 
 
Find out more about CGS: 
Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd  
  
Follow us on Social Media- 
Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 
Instagram-  cgsusa 
Twitter- @cgsusa 
Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 
YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

"One body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 
 
“What have we done to Christianity? We have made it into a lot of rules; but Christianity is to enjoy a Person.” Fr Dalmazio Mongillo 
 
Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 
 
Ann Garrido joins us to discuss Fr Mongillo’s article, About Justice, A Meditation, from the 1999 Journal of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd where he defines justice in the religious sense and how it applies to our life in the atrium with children.  
 
Read Mongillo’s article, About Justice, A Meditation HERE. 
 
Ann Garrido has been a catechist of the Good Shepherd since 1996.  She currently serves as a Level One catechist at her parish while she also serves as a formation leader for the US Association at all three levels.  Ann is an Associate Professor at Aquinas Institute of Theology, a graduate school of theology and ministry in the Dominican tradition.  She is the author of multiple works, including her newest book Redeeming Power about the healthy and holy exercise of leadership. 
 
 
Further Reading: 
 
Journal Articles by Fr Mongillo: 
History and Prayer 2004 Journal  
About Justice: A Meditation 1999 Journal – Read HERE 
Covenant, Collaboration, & Children 2007 Journal  
A Letter from Father Mongillo 2006 Journal  
Learning to Love 2009 Journal – Purchase HERE Read HERE 
The Vocation to Become Human 2011 Journal – Purchase HERE 
Sofia’s article about Fr Mongillo from the 2006 Journal, read HERE 
A Year with Sofia Cavalletti by Ann Garrido 
Essential Realities, Ch. 2 Catechesis as Celebration by Fr Mongillo 
 
ANN’S NEW BOOK – REDEEMING POWER  
 
Heritage Episodes- 
 
Episode 60- Pioneers of CGS with Betty Hissong 
Episode 68- The CGS Heritage- Eugenio Zolli 
Episode 76- The CGS Heritage- Romano Guardini 
Episode 92- Who was Adele Costa Gnocchi  
 
 
AUDIOBOOK: 
 
Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 
CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 
The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 
 
Find out more about CGS:   
Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd  
  
Follow us on Social Media- 
Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 
Instagram-  cgsusa 
Twitter- @cgsusa 
Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 
YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

“Love as I love you.” John 13:34 
 
“Lent is the time in which the joy of loving is rejuvenated.” - Father Mongillo 
 
Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 
 
Patricia Coulter joins us on the podcast to tell us more about Father Mongillo and to open up the beauty of his article, Learning to Love, from the 2009 journal.   
 
Read the article Learning to Love from the 2009 Journal 
 
Patricia Coulter met Sofia Cavalletti in 1975, and their friendship and close collaboration lasted until Sofia’s death in 2011. Patricia collaborated with Sofia in formation courses, in translations of her writings, and in coauthoring various books. Patricia’s most recent words are a collection of Sofia’s writings, All if Gift: Enjoying the Presence of God and letters, Look at the Light, Words of Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti. Dr. Coulter received her certification in the Franciscan Internship Program in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats and her doctorate in ministry from the University of St Michael’s College, University of Toronto. She is the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross for her pastoral ministry with adults and children. 
 
Prayer by Father Mongillo, can be found on page 275-276 of A Year with Sofia Cavalletti: 
Trinity Love 
 
Trinity most sweet! 
Abba, Father! 
Son, Jesus! 
Spirit, Love! 
Trinity all love! 
Source of our identity and our 
peace, 
source of our happiness! 
We adore you, we praise you, we bless you, 
we thank you, we love you! 
Abba, Father! give us your Spirit, 
give us the Spirit of your Son! 
The Spirit who knows the depths of your 
mystery, 
the Spirit who knows the depths of 
our mystery! 
Give us the Spirit, 
in whom you have entrusted the Son to us, 
the Spirit who took Jesus by the hand 
and made him Son for us! 
So that he takes us by the hand and accompanies us 
on our pilgrim way toward your dwelling, 
where we will contemplate you with uncovered face… 
And you will see Jesus in us, the beloved, 
and we will lose ourselves in your gaze of love 
as in an infinite sea… 
as the Son and in the Son, 
all in one with You… 
with the Beloved… with the Lover, 
in the same ecstasy of love forever! 
Amen. 
 
Further Reading: 
 
Journal Articles by Fr Mongillo: 
History and Prayer 2004 Journal  
About Justice: A Meditation 1999 Journal – Read HERE 
Covenant, Collaboration, & Children 2007 Journal  
A Letter from Father Mongillo 2006 Journal  
Learning to Love 2009 Journal – Purchase HERE Read HERE 
The Vocation to Become Human 2011 Journal – Purchase HERE 
Christianity? To Enjoy a Person by Sofia Cavalletti about Fr Mongillo – Read HERE 
 
A Year with Sofia Cavalletti by Ann Garrido 
Essential Realities 
Patricia’s Books:  
Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God 
Drinking from the Sources  
Like Leaven: Accompanying Children on their Spiritual Journey  
The Infinite Mercy of God  
Look at the Light: Words on Loss and Love from Sofia Cavalletti 
 
Podcast Episodes with Patricia- 
 
Episode 89 – Background of Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God 
Episode 90- Ch. 4 The Parable of the True Vine from Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God with Patricia Coulter 
Episode 91- The Infinite Mercy of God with Patricia Coulter 
 
 
 
Heritage Episodes- 
 
Episode 60- Pioneers of CGS with Betty Hissong 
Episode 68- The CGS Heritage- Eugenio Zolli 
Episode 76- The CGS Heritage- Romano Guardini 
Episode 92- Who was Adele Costa Gnocchi  
Episode 109. The CGS Heritage- Father Dalmazio Mongillo, To Enjoy a Person with Sue Jett 
 
 
 
AUDIOBOOK: 
 
Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 
CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 
The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5 
“What have we done to Christianity? We have made it into a lot of rules; but Christianity is to enjoy a Person.” Fr Dalmazio Mongillo 
 
Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE! 
 
Who is Father Dalmazio Mongillo and how has he influenced our work in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? 
 
Read Sofia’s article about Fr Mongillo: Christianity? To Enjoy a Person from the 2006 Journal 
 
Sue first began implementing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2003 while teaching at St. Peter's Catholic School in Beaufort, SC. She is certified in Levels I, II, and III and became a formation leader in 2010 after receiving her Master of Arts degree in the discipline of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO.  Sue has directed religious education programs in the dioceses of Milwaukee, Chicago, and NW Indiana and has facilitated the development of CGS in several parishes.  She currently serves as a Level 1 Catechist at St. James the Less in Highland, IN and works with lower-elementary children at the Montessori Children's Schoolhouse in Hammond, IN. 
 
 
Further Reading: 
Journal Articles by Fr Mongillo: 
History and Prayer 2004 Journal  
About Justice: A Meditation 1999 Journal – Read HERE 
Covenant, Collaboration, & Children 2007 Journal  
A Letter from Father Mongillo 2006 Journal  
Learning to Love 2009 Journal – Purchase HERE Read HERE
The Vocation to Become Human 2011 Journal – Purchase HERE 
 
A Year with Sofia Cavalletti by Ann Garrido 
Essential Realities 
 
Heritage Episodes- 
Episode 60- Pioneers of CGS with Betty Hissong 
Episode 68- The CGS Heritage- Eugenio Zolli 
Episode 76- The CGS Heritage- Romano Guardini 
Episode 92- Who was Adele Costa Gnocchi  
 
 
AUDIOBOOK: 
 
Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 
CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 
The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 
 
Find out more about CGS: 
 
Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at www.cgsusa.org 
  
Follow us on Social Media- 
Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” 
Instagram-  cgsusa 
Twitter- @cgsusa 
Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA 
YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd