GS and Child Podcast | Season 2

Episode 74- The Spiritual Preparation of the Adult with Anita Vincent

“Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:13

Anita Vincent joins us on the podcast to discuss her article that was in the most recent CGS Journal, The Spiritual Preparation of the Adult. She speaks about how adults need to be not only mentally ready but also spiritually ready to encounter God and the Child in the atrium and how this is spoken about by Maria Montessori as well as Sofia and Gianna. We should contemplate who we are in a relationship with, God, as well as the child. She lifts up those capital “sins” of pride and anger that the adult must give up in order to be prepared spiritually.

Anita has been involved in CGS since 2004. She is a recognized Level I Formation Leader. She is also a certified Elementary Montessori teacher. She graduated with the MAPS-CGS degree from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in 2012. She has continued research and collaboration with a broad group of religious educators and Montessorians. Her work with children spans everything from toddlers to high school. She is currently the Director of Religious Education and Formation at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Hellertown, PA. Her most recent contribution is a chapter for a book on homiletics for racial justice. Some of her work includes:

Suggested Reading: 

  • The Spiritual Preparation of the Teacher – an Interfaith Approach, Issue XXIV, May 2017; http://cctheo.org/news/interfaith-spiritual-preparation/
  • The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life by Joan Chittister 
  • Soul Care in African American Practice by Barbara L. Peacock 

2022 Journal of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

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UPDATE- Audiobook – Now Available on Audible

CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz!

The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook.

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