Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Find an atrium in your state or country.
Note: To view a list of atriums available in your area, select a state or "International" (for outside the U.S.) in the drop-down box below. Click the "Search" button to see the results of your search.
Children
gather in a room specially prepared for them, called an atrium, which contains
simple yet beautiful materials that they use to draw near to God. In the
early church, the atrium was the place where the catechumens were prepared. For
the child, the atrium is a place of preparation for involvement in the larger
worshipping community.
In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer by taking the material for that text and working with it – placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd or setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table. Older children who read often copy parables from the Bible, put in order the prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.
Note to churches and schools: If you do not see your organization listed please mail in the atrium form.
