Rome, 1958

The Catechesis began in 1954 in Italy when Sofia Cavaletti, a Catholic, was asked a favour by her friend to conduct Bible study with 7-year-olds. As a biblical scholar with a doctorate in Hebrew studies, Sofia was not sure how best to share the Good News with the children. A mutual friend introduced her to, Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. Without realising it, their first collaborative efforts in serving these children would lead to their life’s work. Over more than 50 years of working with children in a space later called an atrium*, they closely observed and patiently documented children’s responses to the works they offered. Depending on the children’s response, a work was either retained, revised, or discarded. Some works literally took decades of ‘experimentation’ to come to its current form. The work and knowledge Sofia and Gianna have gained has now been distilled into today’s Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. By its nature, the catechesis continues to grow and evolve organically, always being responsive to the children’s needs. *An ‘atrium’ was a room or space near a church where catechumens spent time to be prepared to enter the life of the Church.