CCQ #148: Where did “The Ribbon” Lesson we heard at Mass today come from?
“All of religious language is metaphor because God is not just beyond our grasp, but beyond our imagining.” – Rohr
As many of you know, since 2014 we have been slowly transitioning from a workbook/classroom model of religious instruction to a more contemplative, hands-on, Montessori-based approach to the Faith Formation of children ages 3 to 12 called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). The focus of the program is to deepen the child’s existing relationship with God; to encourage the formation of a personal prayer life; to participate fully in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church; and to develop a deeper understanding of our sacred scriptures. Today everyone at our Masses experienced one of CGS’s “Great Lessons” – La Fettuccia (The Ribbon in Italian) – a timeline of the history of the Kingdom of God…so far. This lesson is rooted in the work of scientist and theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.
CGS was first researched and developed by Dr. Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi. Dr. Sofia Cavalletti was a Hebrew and Scripture scholar and member of the Vatican Commission for Jewish - Christian Relations. She was asked by a neighbor to give her son religious instruction in preparation for Eucharist. At first Sofia refused (not having much to do with children in her academic world) but eventually she consented. This experience with the 7-year-old boy changed her whole life. Dr Cavalletti saw in that child, a way of being in the presence of God that is unique to the child and a great gift for the adult who takes time to share in the child’s joy and discovery.
Gianna Gobbi was a dedicated and seasoned teacher who studied directly under Maria Montessori. These two lay women, in good Montessori fashion, created a prepared space for children called an atrium. In this sacred space children are introduced to hands-on “works” or “materials” rooted in the essential words of Jesus and the beauty of our ancient prayer of the Mass. Each session in the atrium begins with a short lesson and then the children are given free reign to interact with the materials, visit the prayer table, do any number of extension activities that reinforce the lesson, or create artwork in response to what they heard – all done in a prayerful manner so as to “Fall in Love more deeply with God.” Please consider yourself invited to visit our atriums after Mass today to get a fuller picture of this profound place of encounter for our kids.
Maria Montessori was a devout Catholic and the first female medical doctor in Italy. Early in her career, she started working with children in the slums of Rome. Her training as a scientist allowed her to observe children with an eye to recognizing their intrinsic needs. Montessori believed that “joy is the indicator of interior, spiritual growth, just as an increase in weight is the indication of bodily growth.”
Even though our program begins in less than two weeks, we still need many more catechists and assistants to best serve the children in our parish. If you were moved by the lesson you heard today and are willing and able to serve as a catechist in our atriums - or better yet, take the retreat-like training course one Saturday a month to become an “officially” internationally certified CGS Catechist, please be in touch. I can’t recommend the experience enough. One of the most edifying experiences I’ve ever had. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Send your "Crazy Catholic Questions" Lisa Brown at dre@ctredeemer.org or read past columns at: http://crazycatholicquestions.blogspot.com.
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