Cursillo is …
‘A movement of the Church providing a method by which Christians are empowered to grow through prayer, study and action and enabled to share God’s love with everyone.’
Many people have found Cursillo a pivotal experience on their faith journey. You may have been on that journey for some time but feel that there may be more to discover. Cursillo may be just what you are looking for!
The Cursillo journey begins with a three-day retreat – but not a retreat like any other. There are talks and reflections, small group discussions, worship together and fellowship and fun with fellow pilgrims. But it doesn’t stop there – you will be invited to join a new community, if you wish, who meet regularly in different ways to encourage and support one another in what we call the “Fourth Day” – the rest of your life!
A Retreat?
The three-day retreat is an opportunity to step back from the busyness of modern life and ask some searching questions about ourselves and our relationship with God and with others. That sounds pretty scary – but Cursillo is underpinned with prayer and an acceptance of God’s grace such that we can really just be ourselves and ‘let go and let God.’ As we listen to other peoples’ stories and share our own we find new insights and food on our journey. Oh yes – and we have a lot of fun too! Find out more about the course HERE
“Fourth Day?”
So “The Fourth Day” is not actually just one day, it’s a phrase that has been coined to describe what goes on continuously after a Cursillo. In short, there is an opportunity to join with a handful of other Cursillistas (Those who have been on a Cursillo) in a small group to meet up on a regular basis – perhaps weekly, fortnightly or monthly – to share with each other how things are going. As well as Group Reunion there are less frequent larger gatherings, often organised on a diocesan basis. These we call Ultreyas – another Spanish word! – and are times of worship and encouragement together. Find out more about the fourth day HERE
A turning point?
One thing that often draws pilgrims to Cursillo is a sense that although they are relatively secure in their faith there seems to be a nagging feeling that maybe there is something more to be found. The Cursillo can be a turning point where we decide that there are things we thought were important that we need to start to leave behind; and maybe some new direction we might not have considered will become apparent. Read more about the effect Cursillo has had on others HERE