Listening to God With Children: The Montessori Method Applied to the Catechesis of Children

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. So is this work guided by the Spirit. It is the fruit of entering gently and respectfully into the child's joyful encounter with the mystery of God's silent self-revelation made tangible through ancient biblical images, liturgical signs and celebrations.
The author, Gianna Gobbi, personally worked as an apprentice with Maria Montessori in Rome. In collaboration with Sofia Cavalletti, a biblical scholar, Gianna played a primary role in applying the principles of the Montessori method to the religious formation of children, now embodied in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
As the Catechesis spreads throughout the world, the origi-nators are conscious of the inclination of followers to dilute the work to familiar formulas and a set of skills acquired in training courses and textbooks. What is essential is not techniques nor even the right use of materials, as significant as these may be; rather, it is the spiritual formation of the catechist/educator as a servant of God's Word, motivated by the desire to enter more deeply into union with Christ, the one true Teacher of us all. Put simply: to listen to God with children.