“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will."  Matthew 11: 24,25 

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 What is metaphysics and how does it relate to the child? How does Montessori’s idea of the triangular relationship which is the child, the adult, the environment manifest this idea of metaphysics. How can we as adults create environments that allow the child to be more metaphysical? 

“There is no being more metaphysical than the child.” Sofia RPC1 

Donald (Donny) Wallenfang, OCDS, PhD is a Level III catechist, Secular Discalced Carmelite, and Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He received his MTS from St Norbert College and his doctorate from Loyola University Chicago. He has published twelve books as well as numerous articles and book chapters on a variety of topics in Christian theology and philosophy. His areas of expertise merge at the intersection of Carmelite spirituality, phenomenology, metaphysics, liturgical theology, evangelization and catechesis. Wallenfang served in full-time youth and young adult ministry for nine years. He has been married to his wife, Megan, for twenty-four years and has six children. 

Further Reading: 

The Religious Potential of the Child 3rd Edition 

The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 year old 2nd Edition 

Way of Holy Joy by Sofia Cavalletti 

Donald Wallenfang, Metaphysics: A Basic Introduction in a Christian Key (Cascade, 2019). 

Donald Wallenfang, Human and Divine Being: A Study on the Theological Anthropology of Edith Stein (Cascade, 2017). 

Thomas Aquinas, Aquinas’s Shorter Summa (Sophia Institute, 2001). 

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy 

Episode 2 –God and the Child  

Episode 82 - Merciful Parenting 

AUDIOBOOK: 

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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