What is Cursillo?

Cursillo is a religious movement that originated in Mallorca Spain in the late 1940’s. Cursillo is not an organization, but a movement. The original leaders were all trainers of Spanish young men who attended an annual nationwide pilgrimage to northwest Spain where the tomb of St James the Greater was located. Cursillo weekends came into existence in 1949 because the founders believed that every Catholic was an apostle by virtue of their baptism. The first women’s weekend was held in 1953. The goal was to infuse the Christian spirit into men and women so they would become the vertebrae to Christianize their environments. The movement spread worldwide in the 1950’s and the first Cursillo weekend was held in the United States in 1957. Pope Paul VI named St. Paul the Patron of Cursillo in 1963 and four years later he identified Cursillo as having a unique charism or spirituality.

Cursillo Charism (Spirituality)

According to Eduardo Bonin, the man most responsible for the creation of Cursillo, the aim of the organization “is nothing else but to try to have the Good News of the Gospel reach as many people as possible.” The goal is to have Cursillistas live what is fundamental to being a Christian through their piety, study of the faith and their actions in their homes, workplaces and communities. The emphasis is on effort, living a Christian life. The emphasis of Cursillo is on developing the individual spirituality or method of being with God. Cursillistas grow spirituality through regular attendance at group reunions, which are small gatherings of men or women, where the members share their faith experiences in a supportive, yet challenging environment. These groups are sources of growth and affirmation, and also places where strong friendships develop. Most Cursillistas would place their group brothers or sisters right after their families when aligning relationships. Monthly, Cursillistas attend an Ultreya, a gathering of Cursillistas in a parish or local area where men and women remember the beauty of their weekend and renew their enthusiasm by listening to a witness speaker.

Additionally, each month the movement conducts its School of Leaders which is open to all Cursillistas. The School creates an apostolic mentality in its members by discussing spiritual topics and formulating the training for the Cursillistas who conduct the weekends.

The Cursillo charism is to live like Christ did and to evangelize all environments by using words if necessary. All Cursillistas commit to the phrase “Christ is counting on you and I am counting on Christ.” Many people have commented that one has to experience Cursillo to understand it.

More Information: Please call or email Christina Semmens, Pre-Cursillo Chair or call 256.603.0225.

If you would like to discuss Cursillo with someone in your parish or nearby, the list of Ultreya Leads is at the Contact us tab on this website. All of them would be happy to discuss the movement with you at any time.