What is Cursillo?

The Cursillo Movement is designed to help individuals become agents for change in our community by bringing Jesus Christ into every aspect of one's life.  The Cursillo experience begins with a three-day weekend retreat.  Inspirational talks are given by the clergy and lay people.  After a Cursillo weekend one joins a weekly fellowship group of other members of our community who have experienced the weekend and who now want to share their journey and Christian faith. 

The Weekend

• The Cursillo method includes a three-day weekend, which begins on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday. During this time, talks are given by lay persons and clergy, who have spent a significant amount of time praying and working together, planning and preparing for the weekend.
• The weekend is an opportunity to meet other individuals who are seeking to strengthen their faith.
• It provides an opportunity through shared prayer, worship, singing, study, fellowship, discussion, and new friendships to experience the reality of the gift of God’s grace.
• The Cursillo weekend is not a retreat, nor is there any fasting or extended periods of silence.
• There are Chapel visits and the Eucharist is celebrated daily.
• Cursillistas (persons who have made a Cursillo weekend) return from the weekend with a renewed commitment to grow closer to Christ and to work for Christ.

To maintain this commitment, Cursillistas are encouraged to join in the activities of the community of persons who have also experienced a Cursillo weekend. The purpose of this Cursillo community is to give continued strength and support to one another so that each person might continue to grow in faith and develop their particular gifts of ministry.

There are 2 support methods outlined:

The group reunion is a small group of Cursillistas that meet on a regular basis for mutual encouragement and support in their efforts to stay close to Christ and serve Him.

Ultreya

(Spanish – ‘onward’) These are meetings of larger groups of people who have either participated in a weekend or who might be interested in doing so. Here they share and witness to others in order to reinforce the Church and their own faith.

Susan Urbanek