Cursillo (kur-SEE-yo) literally means “little course” and is an intense three-day spiritual retreat, the purpose of which is a deep personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Those who experience the Cursillo Movement know it is more than just three days of religious instruction. It is an effort to change the spiritual environment, to bring Jesus Christ into the world.
To understand what the Cursillo Movement is all about, a person must first realize that the Cursillo Movement is a method of spirituality. This method for living one’s faith has a twofold goal. The first goal is the internal renewal of the person. The second goal is the Christianizing of the person’s environment. The first goal is seen as the absolutely necessary step to achieve the second goal. But the Cursillo Movement’s philosophy is that the first goal is meaningless unless there is also a sincere commitment to the second goal.
For the Cursillista (kur-SEE-ista), faith impels the person to “incarnate” the world, to do as the son of God did: to bring into the very guts of daily life the Word of God, the Christian Message, the dynamic power and thrust of the trinity in human history. The person who has made a Cursillo knows that Jesus did not come to save us “from this world,” but to help us give God back to His world.
The Cursillo Method for living a Christian life is wrapped up in two phrases used frequently during the three-day Cursillo experience (that is, the Cursillo Weekend that people talk about “making”). These two phrases are the “Cursillo Tripod” and the “Fourth Day.”
The Cursillo Tripod: The Cursillo Tripod is symbolized by a “STOOL” that consists of three legs. All three legs are needed to ensure the “STOOL” is solid and functional. For us, the Cursillo Tripod represents the three legs of our Spiritual Foundation; which are PIETY, STUDY and ACTION.
PIETY is the outward expression of a person’s FAITH. Developing our Piety goes “hand in hand” with developing a rock solid relationship with Christ.
STUDY is the pursuit of Meaning. Study allows us to learn more about our faith, ourselves and helps us to grow to become true Christians.
ACTION is the application of our Piety and Study. Action translates into our opportunity to live out Piety and Study and ultimately gives us the chance to “Make a Friend “, “Be a Friend” and “Bring a Friend to Christ”. This is how we help build the “Body of Christ” in our families, neighborhoods, Churches and places of work.
The 4th Day points to the rest of the person’s life from the time the Cursillo Weekend closes until the time the person’s days on earth end. The Cursillo believes that in order to maintain one’s commitment to live up to what our Catholic Faith asks of us, we need the help of others. “No Man is an Island.” That phrase says it for the people who have made a Cursillo. You can’t go it alone! You need the active support, inspiration, encouragement, and understanding of your brothers and sisters in Christ.
In order to supply a person with that continuing support for his or her spiritual life and the development of that life, the Cursillo recommends a number of “people contacts” in the person’s life-pattern. These personal meetings occur on three levels: “Spiritual Direction,” “Group Reunion,” and “Ultreya.”
“Spiritual Direction” refers to the need a person has to be in touch with a professional. That pro is usually a Priest but need not be one, and their job is to “coach” people as they live out their renewed commitment to their faith. Any number of things can be discussed with one’s spiritual director: from sins all the way to how to relate better with your boss.
“Group Reunions” are voluntary gatherings of people (ideally, no more than 6-8) who come together to grow spiritually into better Christians. It is suggested that “G.R.’s” meet weekly or bi-weekly at a time convenient to the group membership in order to share with one another their Christian lives. At a G.R., members talk about their experiences since their last reunion with a focus on how they have felt the presence of God in their lives. They share good, as well as bad, aspects of their week. They report to one another about a matter each person or the group has decided to be accountable for. And finally, they pray together in a format determined by the group and their situation.
To someone who has not made a Cursillo, such intimate sharing may seem to be something they could not or would not do, or something they do not need in their lives. All a person can say is that most people coming into a Cursillo felt the same way.
“Ultreyas” comes from the Spanish word meaning, “go further” or “go higher.” In the Diocese of Erie, Ultreyas are scheduled in various areas once a month. The concept behind such gathering again is the need for personal support if a person is to keep living up to his Christian Ideals. At these Ultreyas, the person brushes against a large number of people whose presence tells him or her that these people are as serious about the Christian Life as I am, as my Spiritual Director is, as my Group Reunion is! Ultreyas usually include the Eucharistic Liturgy.
“Group Reunions” are voluntary gatherings of people (ideally, no more than 6-8) who come together to grow spiritually into better Christians. It is suggested that “G.R.’s” meet weekly or bi-weekly at a time convenient to the group membership in order to share with one another their Christian lives. At a G.R., members talk about their experiences since their last reunion with a focus on how they have felt the presence of God in their lives. They share good, as well as bad, aspects of their week. They report to one another about a matter each person or the group has decided to be accountable for. And finally, they pray together in a format determined by the group and their situation.
To someone who has not made a Cursillo, such intimate sharing may seem to be something they could not or would not do, or something they do not need in their lives. All a person can say is that most people coming into a Cursillo felt the same way.
“Ultreyas” comes from the Spanish word meaning, “go further” or “go higher.” In the Diocese of Erie, Ultreyas are scheduled in various areas quarterly. The concept behind such gatherings is the need for personal support if a person is to keep living up to his Christian Ideals. At these Ultreyas, the person brushes against a large number of people whose presence tells him or her that these people are as serious about the Christian Life as I am, as my Spiritual Director is, as my Group Reunion is! Ultreyas usually include a communion service.