To explain Cursillo to someone who has never experienced Cursillo is at best, difficult. Often, for those who have experienced Cursillo it is still somewhat mystifying. This is not because the Cursillo Movement is a “secret” organization. The reason behind the mystery is God. No one can fully explain how God touches each person in His special/unique way throughout the various elements of the Cursillo Movement. The proper name is Cursillo de Cristiandad (short course of Christianity).
In the Cursillo Movement, we approach evangelization as a very natural act of being Christlike within each of our daily activities. We realize that while most people would like to live their lives in a Christ-like manner, the pressures of the world often make this difficult. The Cursillo Movement provides a method and a technique to provide each of us with the tools, the mentality, the strength, and the support to make this natural type of evangelization possible.
The Cursillo Movement is an official movement of the Catholic Church. The name Cursillo is Spanish, meaning short course, and is often associated with a 3-Day weekend – which is only one aspect of the Cursillo Movement. Cursillo provides us the opportunities to meet with others who can help us on our journey in different types of group reunions. The Cursillo Movement has several very important tools to assist each of us. These tools are the Group Reunion, the Ultreya and School of Leaders. All cursillistas are welcome to come and join us.
The Group Reunion is a small group of Cursillo friends that meet on a regular basis. The purpose of this meeting is to share with one another the growth that has taken place within each of us. We share our spiritual growth as well as our growth in becoming a person who strives to bring a Christ-like attitude to our environments. This meeting is referred to as a Friendship Group.
The Ultreya (Spanish word meaning Onward) is the larger Cursillo community. It is the time for the members of the Group Reunions to meet with members of other Group Reunions. The Ultreya is also beneficial in providing the support and encouragement that each of us needs. Ultreyas are held monthly in Lewiston from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the third Friday of the month on a rotating basis between the three Lewiston parishes. Our parish bulletins announce details our monthly Ultreyas.
The School of Leaders is designed to be a spiritual and technical nourishment for those who are called to be leaders within the Cursillo movement as well as for those who wish to learn more about the movement (all three phases, Pre-Cursillo, Cursillo, Post-Cursillo) and to grow within the movement. The School is an integral facet of the Authentic Cursillo Movement. The effectiveness, the vibrancy, and the success of the movement depend on committed, enthusiastic, spiritually formed and knowledgeable leaders. As leaders we make special efforts to deepen our own commitment to be truly formed and continue that formation. We are a pilgrim people, always in process, always growing– we continue our formation scripturally, prayerfully, and apostolically.
To learn more about the School of Leaders or the Cursillo Movement, contact Kathylu Szabo, kathylu519@roadrunner.com
The Cursillo Movement is much more than just a 3-Day weekend!