ECHOES

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Spiritual Preparation of the Catechist

"Being aware that a child is a great person in a small body will bring an important change in our attitude toward the child." –Sylvana Montanaro from NAMTA journal.

Maria Montessori recognized that the struggle of the adult to allow the child freedom may be a great one. In several books she wrote about the spiritual preparation of the teacher of young children. It is an ongoing process that renders us bit by bit more humbled by and trusting in the child and her relationship with God, a relationship that needs our support but not our interference, our attention but not our control.

This issue of ECHOES is a compilation of the thoughts and anecdotes of catechists engaged in this spiritual preparation, in some cases for many years. We hope to encourage one another in our own journey to freedom for both the child and ourselves.

Following are excerpted articles from this issue of Echoes:

Complete copies may be ordered from the Center for Children and Theology for $3. Contact us through email at cct1680@aol.com.

• The Spiritual Preparation of the Adult and the Philosophy of Maria Montessori by Rose Paul
• Encouraging Each Other: from Catechists on the Journey
  Catechists offer their reflections on their inner preparation
  • Alison Schultz, Grayson, GA
  • Tina Lillig, Oak Park, IL

The Spiritual Preparation of the Adult and
the Philosophy of Maria Montessori

By Rose Paul

 What does it mean, the spiritual preparation of the adult? Does it mean being religious, praying and attending church? Does it have a deeper meaning? We know that Maria Montessori's method is universal and not confined by a certain religious faith, geographical location, or political affiliation. Rather, her ideas and methods apply to all and are based on observation and experience.

 When she speaks about the spiritual preparation of the adult, Maria Montessori is referring to the inner development of the individual and his/her preconceived ideas and attitudes towards children. She looks at our attitude about children in general, in education and relationships and how our past experiences influence our behavior toward children today. She says we must be aware of our attitudes and prejudices and weed out the ones that are harmful to ourselves and to the development of the child.

  One of the prevailing prejudices or misconceptions is that a child has nothing to offer the adult world but is totally dependent on the adult to teach and mold the child into the adults idea of the proper human being. Whenever the child resists our efforts and puts forth its own demands, our pride as an all knowing adult is offended and we may respond with anger. We also suffer from the idea that education is something that the adult must impose on the child from his/her point of view rather than the child's. Another misconception the adult may have is believing that the child owes him/her respect, which is true; but does the adult show the child the proper respect in turn?

  We must understand the true nature and dignity of children in order to overcome these attitudes and prejudices. Maria Montessori discovered the secrets of childhood through her very objective observations. By observing with an open mind, she discovered that they had certain needs and tendencies, and if these were not being met they would act in ways the adult would not tolerate or understand. The adult would label this behavior "spoiled or naughty".

 With much love and empathy for these children she provided them with an environment, materials and freedom with which the needs and tendencies were fulfilled.

  Adults must keep their imagination alive and always look for the child that is not yet there. They must have a vision of the true spirit of the child and have faith that the child will reveal this spirit to them, through the work that has been prepared for them in the environment. Even the most difficult child will find his/her true nature through a piece of work that attracts him/her. When this vision is firmly planted in the mind of the adult, he/she is serving the spirit of the child.

 When the child reveals his/her real nature to the adult for the first time it has a profound effect. To witness this transformation of the child touches the heart and little by little the adult's long held misconceptions of the child will change. The adult will experience a different concept of love and what it means to serve - no longer on a personal or material level - but on a spiritual level. A feeling of reverence for the hidden potential of the child has been revealed. The adult is filled with hope and encouraged to continue to work in anticipation of seeing this miracle again and again. The adult now understands that the child is fulfilling the task given it by nature and not because of the adult's efforts.

  The child has opened up a new way of life to the adult, whose values before were placed on material rewards and a distorted view of justice. Rather than assuming that people must be controlled by a system of rewards and punishments, we now see that an understanding and appreciation for justice can be based on the basic goodness of human beings. Maria Montessori says, "Justice here, is to give every human being the help he/she* needs to bring his/her* fullest spiritual stature, and service of the spirit at every age means helping those energies that are at work to bring this about." (*her added)

  Children can construct an orderly society by themselves if they are given the proper guidance and care at the crucial periods of their lives. When we adults follow the child's natural path the child will awaken in us the desire to reach a higher level of the spirit. Maria Montessori calls the following quotation a kind of guide for adults:Ð

"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."

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Encouraging Each Other: from Catechists on the Journey

 Over the last several months I have found that inner preparation for being with children in the atrium has taken on deeper meaning. In training and as a catechist, I certainly am aware of the challenge that Maria set before those of us who work with children. Indeed only now am I beginning to grasp why it is so important - because without inner preparedness what results may be the same as building a house upon the sand.

  We can take our lead in the example of Jesus - understanding the way Jesus responded to all those he encountered. First, he spent time alone with God - listening to God's voice and discerning what God held for him. Only then, after being in the Presence, did Jesus go and be with others. When he was with others he began the encounter by listening. When he did respond, his actions were not based upon preconceived ideas or cultural mores or ethnic presuppositions. He allowed the Spirit of God room to work, to see each person and circumstances in love. As a result, all those who came to know him were changed. These events were often met with resistance, from those who were uncomfortable that certain rules and laws were being discounted or disregarded.

  Today we have Jesus in the Gospels and in our lives. We might take seriously his suggestion that he is with us always as a way to reflect on how he would have us be with and respond to children. If we believe that, then we allow him to determine what is essential.

 Essentiality applies not only to the work of the Catechesis but to our attempts to relate to children. I believe that is what is required of us - to determine what is most essential in our relationship with Jesus. When Jesus is our guide the Holy Spirit can do the work of the Creator and Sustainer.

  We can find our way by using the disciplines with which we are familiar - silence and listening, and in developing an intimacy with the Gospels that draws us closer to the Good Shepherd.

     -Alison Schultz
     Grayson, GA

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  It seems that the spiritual preparation of the catechist is continuous. We are always preparing ourselves to be with the child. In the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd there are so many things that can be a help to us - some easy and some difficult. One of the best spiritual helps is hearing the prayers of children. How often we have heard that beautiful prayer that always surprises us; "Thank you, God, for you."

  Another help is a text from the Gospel of Luke that Sofia Cavalletti has pointed out to us. It is about the "unworthy servant" (Luke 17:10). I admit that for 19 years I ignored it. I asked myself, "Is it healthy?" I just didn't understand what seemed like a repudiation of recognition. But three years ago, I began to need the text. Now I find I have to read it again and again. The marker in my Bible has not moved from it. When I talk to other catechists about this text, I say, "You may need it someday."

  Each of the moral parables we offer to the 6-12 year old children, in turn, can affect us deeply. This year it is the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 10:1-15) that has helped me love God's "kingdom" justice for all those late to the vineyard. And it has helped me see the invisible "denarius" in the hand of each atrium child.

  Above all, I think it is the maxims of Jesus (mostly from Matthew, chapters 5-7) that have been a spiritual gift to me. My own distance from what they ask of us is, of course, difficult. But the way children embrace them and know them by heart encourages me.

  I think other catechists can be part of our interior preparation. My husband John, who is my atrium partner, sees such a delicate goodness in each child. When I tell him that two girls are drawing and not really working, he points out the beautiful friendship between them.

  Another great advantage, though it may not seem like one, is to have a difficult group of children. It helps us to rethink everything and not hang on to procedures we prefer in the atrium.    

      -Tina Lillig
     Oak Park, IL

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