In today's world can Christianity
penetrate the many areas of secular life? Can it live there?
Can it grow there? Can it transform the world in a way that is more
fruitful than the past and in keeping with the times? The Cursillo
Movement thinks so. It proposes no new type of spirituality, but
simply a method through which one's spirituality may be developed, lived
and shared in any area of human life where there are Christians willing
to dedicate their lives to God in an on-going manner.
The movement of Cursillos
in Christianity is a powerful instrument of renewal in the Church.
Its aim is to concentrate closely on the Person and teachings of Jesus
Christ. The Cursillo gives those who attend it a living understanding
of basic Christian truths and the desire to serve the Church. What's
more it provides a means to continue the Christian formation that is just
begun in the three-day exercises.
Format of the Weekend
Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-yo)
is a Spanish word meaning "little" or "short" course. It begins on
a Thursday evening and ends on Sunday evening. During those three
days the Cursillistas (those attending) live and work together, listening
to talks given by priests and laity. They also share the Eucharist
and pray together daily.
The priest who is the "spiritual
director" and the laymen who make up the Cursillo "team" spend weeks working
and praying together in preparation. The Cursillo takes careful planning
because the time is short and the subject extensive. The titles of
the talks indicate their content: Ideal, Grace Life, Laity, Faith, Holiness,
Study, the Sacraments, Evangelization, Obstacles to Grace, Leaders, Formation
and Evangelization of Environments, Christian Community, Christian Life,
Group Reunion and Ultreya. Each talk is followed by a discussion
period.
Cursillo is an encounter
with Christ. That sounds too simple but it's not. Think about
it. A real meeting with Christ. If that is understood then
the power, beauty and joy of the Cursillo Movement will be understood.
Interested? Attend
one! Please
or phone if you have questions or would like
further information.