What Is It?

Introduction: Initially, It starts with a Spiritual Retreat. A three day personal encounter with Christ.

Mentality of the Founders: Cursillo puts its emphasis on personally “living” a Christian life, not necessarily “doing” Christian acts; It opted for an apostolic movement based on the associated strength of friendship. It is a personal relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Essence: To build up and strengthen Christianity in our society. To create groups of Christians who, while living what is fundamental for being a Christian in a conscious, ever-growing and shared manner, instill Christian and spiritual criteria into the environments and structures in which they are immersed, while exercising their own vocation.

Purpose: To provide a foundation so the person may live what is fundamental for being Christian; love of God and love of neighbor, experienced through three essentials encounters; an encounter with oneself, with Christ and with others.

Conclusion: As laity in the church, we have a mission to fulfill. We must realize that we, as individuals, can have a great impact on society. As Church, we are called to be Apostles, Saints, men and women of our times. Our world needs us to be apostolic. We must incarnate Christ so that we can proclaim Him to each person in the environments where God has planted us. He chose ordinary people to become “fishers of men”. Should we do any less?

Several who have lived the Cursillo experience in the Salt Lake City area, St. George area, Ogden area, and Tooele have come together in the Spirit of the Cursillo through group reunions and ultreyas (follow up gatherings) in an effort to renew the zeal in our Diocese. We have received the approval and blessing of Bishop Wester and the support of the National Coordinator of the Cursillo movement Cef Aguilon. Father Joseph Frez of Saint Therese Parish, in Midvale Utah has been appointed as the Spiritual Adviser for the Cursillo movement in our Diocese.

The Cursillo has been instrumental in the formation of leaders in the Salt Lake Diocese. Many are working through various apostolates and ministries within their own parishes to bring others to Christ.

With the call of our Holy Father to a new evangelization, we again desire to use this tool of the Cursillo movement to assist in this process of knowing, loving and serving Christ. We appeal to those of you who have lived the Cursillo experience for your prayers, support and participation. And we appeal to those of you who have not experienced the Cursillo to join us by experiencing the Cursillo Retreat and serve Christ as His Disciples. In Matthew 4:19 (NASB) Jesus said to his Disciples, “Come, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Is He calling you? Come, let’s find out.

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The 3-Day Cursillo Weekend

The Cursillo Weekend is a short course in Christianity held for Catholic men or women (the weekends are not co-ed.) The weekend goes from from Thursday evening until Sunday evening and is lead by a team of laypeople and at least one priest and a deacon or nun. Fifteen talks are given, ten by laypersons and five by the spiritual directors. The talks lead to lively discussions in small groups.

The three days are interspersed with music, sharing, laughter, prayer, reflection, and silence as you discover what it means to say, “We are the body of Christ.” Mass is celebrated each day (except Thursday) as well as morning and evening prayers.

There is nothing dull about a Cursillo weekend. It is a joyous workshop in the fundamentals of our beautiful Catholic faith where everyone learns by experiencing a living community. It is an encounter with Jesus Christ.

Benefits

It is difficult to explain what the Cursillo does for a person, or what happens over a weekend. Since each person comes to the Cursillo from a different place in time and a different relationship with God, it is understandable that each will respond differently to the material presented and the experience of community living in a Christian atmosphere.

For some, it is a total turnabout in their lives; for others, it is a grand awakening; for yet others, it is an enrichment of what they have already known and have been living.

We do not promise anything or judge anyone – we simply offer the program and rely on the grace of God and the openness of the individual to produce its benefits.

What is expected of me?

There is no specific response expected of you. Just be open to what happens. Simply take a fresh look at what the Church has always taught—Good News—the miraculous and joyous discovery of Christ’s endless love.

You are not expected to know or do more, just reflect on being more! There are no tricks or hidden mysteries only revealed to the initiated. If there are any surprises, that is only because the Christian life is full of surprises.

What do I do next?

To sign up for more information click here.