Cursillo Anyone?

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VeronicasJude

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Have you attended one? How did your life change afterwards?

I may go to one in September.

Donna
 
I attended a Cursillo about two years ago. It was much more nourishing spiritually than many of the retreats that I have gone on, and the people who lead the retreat and contributed to it certainly were genuine in their interest in my well-being. I really don’t have anything negative to say about it, though I would not say that it changed my life. It more or less just gave support to what I was already doing (prayer, reading, and action).

Frankly, observing and bouncing ideas off of my husband, an Opus Dei cooperator, has done more for me than Cursillo in terms of my everyday spirituality. If you’re looking for something that can really inspire you to change your ordinary life for the better, and Cursillo does not end up helping you in that way, I would recommend any of the books of St. Josemaria Escriva (the founder of Opus Dei), such as “Friends of God” or “Furrow.” You might even want to start those books now anyway to better dispose you for the Cursillo.

God bless you!
 
Dear Kristen,

It appears that you have not taken advantage of the spirituality that Cursillo has to offer. After making your Cursillo weekend, did you become involved in the Fourth Day Community ?

As to the Opus Dei movement, I at least at this time have too many questions and concerns to get involved in what appears to be a right wing poltical organization that poses itself as a religious community.

Br Mark, OSB
 
VJ,

I think the Cursillo movement overall very good. There are aspects of it that bothered me when I went on my Cursillo. However, it can be a “life-changing” experience for you (and has been for many).

I am not involved with the 4th day community (the “continuation” of the weekend in your everyday life). When I did go to a “grouping” or “Ultreya” oftentimes the focus was upon what the 4th dayers had done for the Lord. Not necessarly totally a “bad” thing, but I felt there was too much focus on “us” and not “Him.” Also, at times, I encountered flippant attitudes towards certain Magisterial teachings (no surprise there I suppose).

However, there ARE those involved with Cursillo who are trying to do great good for the Church and are authentically doing so. AT times it can be a “balancing act”.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Br. Mark, you say:

“I at least at this time have too many questions and concerns to get involved in what appears to be a right wing poltical organization that poses itself as a religious community”

Care to back this up with some documentation with Opus Dei material itself? I ask this respectfully and with no malice or bad intentions.

To make a statements such as “right wing political organization that poses itself as a religious community” is kinda harsh. I always found the OD to be very solidly with the Magisterium on isuues of faith, morals, liturgy, and discipline.

Fr. C. John McCloskey, an Opus Dei priest, has done some very fine thing for Holy Mother Church.

Can you elaborate?
 
Please stay on topic, Thank you.

God Bless,
Lalia Mackay
 
Lalia Mackay:
Please stay on topic, Thank you.
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Well here’s my attempt to stay on topic. To say the Cursillo has changed my life would be an understatement. I went in the early '80’s at a time when I was living a life that I like to say was somewhat akin to St. Augustine before his conversion. Eventually I moved out of the area which I made my Cursillo after a while realizing I couldn’t do it by myself, and I affliated with another group. Well to make a long story short, it’s where I met my wife.

Neither my wife or I are active any more in the movement but we have sponsored a few for the weekends. I wouldn’t recommend it as a place to find a spouse, it just worked out that way for us. For me personally it turned my life around spiritually because like I said, I was in a desert at the time and VERY unhappy.

I highly recommend it ! 👍
 
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marke:
It appears that you have not taken advantage of the spirituality that Cursillo has to offer. After making your Cursillo weekend, did you become involved in the Fourth Day Community ?

As to the Opus Dei movement, I at least at this time have too many questions and concerns to get involved in what appears to be a right wing poltical organization that poses itself as a religious community.

Br Mark, OSB
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I want to be clear that I am not criticizing the Cursillo movement! Though my life took me geographically and otherwise away from the Fourth Day per se, I think that it may be just what some may need or want, just not me. That is why I mentioned in the post that if Cursillo is not what this person needs, she *may *wish to look elsewhere.

Regarding Opus Dei, my response (which I did not initally realize was related to my post in this thread), is contained in another thread, so as to keep this on topic. In short, I believe that you may be misinformed about Opus Dei; heaven knows there is a lot of misinterpretation about it in the media, and so few people actually know good cooperators!

God bless!
 
you will get out of the Cursillo what you are willing to invest…just as with most things…I lived my Cursillo over 2 years ago and so has my wife(at the womens Cursillo)…it greatly strengthed our spiritual lives and helped us become not only better Catholics, but better people…remember though, a Cursillo is strongly influenced by the team putting it on and those giving talks…pray about your weekend ask the Lord for guidance and please become active in the Cursillo movement…the weekend itself is like the introduction of a book…Cursillo is much more than a weekend…I meet every week with my small group, I attend monthly Ultreyas and have become involved in the School of Leaders responsible for organizing weekends…the Cursillo definately changed my life for the better and I pray it will do the same for you…as I type this post my wife is attending her weekly small group meeting…please feel free to ask any other question about the Cursillo you may have, and I will do my best to answer them.

Peace and De Colores!!
 
I have joined Cursillo 3 years ago, and still leaving my Fourth day, thriving to strengthen the pillars of it: PIETY, STUDY and ACTION.

Cursillo in Christianity was my catalyst in finding my real purpose in life. I was born and raised Roman Catholic. Went to Catholic Schools, Altar boy and all that. But as I grew to adulthood and to college, I started questioning and doubting the Catholic Church. I have rejected the notion of joining the Cursillo for 8 years. Then on my 33rd birthday, it came to me like a cold wind. Cursillo was the GLUE that held all the things I have learned and experience in my Faith.

As what we say in Cursillo. “In your time, God will choose you” I’m glad and blessed to have rediscover and elevate my faith to knowing the TRUTH, Jesus and His Catholic Church.

I highly suggest Cursillo in Christianity if you can join one around your area. I am now, interested to strengthening that fire that is in my heart, and join OPUS DEI.

DeColores,

Bro. Alvin, of FCC of San Bernardino
 
My mother joined a cursillo before we were born with the Oblates of Saint Joseph. She told me that they felt they were siblings after the cursillo. They have room mates, they do not pay fees but rather they were sponsored by someone. There were talks. I told my mother I want to attend a cursillo but she said cursillos these days are very rare in our country. True. She’s the only person I know who recounts her cursillo days.
 
My experience with Cursillo was positive, but not personally helpful to me as I’d already been formed in my Faith through many years of personal study, good spiritual direction, and by being a Secular Discalced Carmelite. It seems that when done well it can be good starting point for those desiring a deeper committment to Christ and His Church, but I saw that Cursillo can also become a place from which some do not want to progress further in the spiritual life.
 
My cursillo was in the Episcopalian church. It led me to get much more serious about my faith, do a lot of reading, listening more to what was really happening to/in the Episcopalian ecclesial community, listening to Catholic Radio, and convert to that Catholic Church. It did a lot! I highly recommend it.

The Scripture verse in my signature was the verse that was the theme for my cursillo, btw.
 
I made my Cursillo in 1981. It wasn’t a life-changing experience for me, but it definitely was a deepening of my faith and made me stronger in it. I also worked a team, which has it’s own rewards, seeing others deepen their relationship with Christ. I have been in the same group reunion for about 18 years now and have formed some very Christ-centered friendships. In fact, almost all of my friends are Cursillistas. Since Cursillo, I have become active in my parish, and have found that many of those active in the parish are Cursillistas also. I don’t know what I’d do without my Cursillo Community and my group sisters! We are always there for each other, and always helping each other to grow spiritually. I thank God for Cursillo.
 
I attended my Cursillo in 1979. The parish group promoting it thought it was the ultimate spiritual experience. It was not any different from what I learned at my Search retreat 3 years earlier. I felt the Ultreyas were an attempt to recapture the conversion experience of the Cursillo itself. Those who pushed me into the Cursillo retreat were disappointed I didn’t turn out to be a mega-leader of sorts. Several years later, I learned the original intent of the movement was to galvanize the laity into serving the parish and community. That turned into a conversion event for the wayward. Like the poster above, I find a few Cursillistas who emphasize an anti-clerical stance.

My two cents.
Joe
 
I know this may be a stupid question, BUT, what exactly is Cursillo?? Thanks Scoob
 
Cursillo means “small course”. These are small courses in Christianity. The retreat is lived out over the course of three days, beginning on Thursday night and ending on Sunday evening with the clausura “closing” ceremony. Friday and Saturday are filled with talks on everything ranging from actual grace to sanctifying grace to living the Chrisitan life. Mass is celebrated on Friday evening, on Saturday evening and Sunday morning (very early). On Saturday evening, there is a special dinner for the retreatants.

There are opportunities for Confession and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

My experience was a mixed bag. I lived my Cursillo three years ago. My weekend fell during Pentecost, but, not a word about this great and magnificent solemnity was mentioned. Come Hades or high water, they were going to stick with their program. The Mass was horribly celebrated. The music was terrible and not a hymn was dedicated to the Holy Spirit, let alone Easter. There was no catechesis about the meaning of Pentecost. The young girls who were participating in the retreat with me did not know much about Pentecost. Holy Hour was a disaster. The music was loud, rambunctious and there was a lot of clapping. The staff running the retreat has no liturgical training whatsoever and no Sensus Fidei (and no sense of propriety, for that matter).

I was frustrated because of the poor quality of the liturgy and it soured my weekend. However, the upshot was that I was able to get some things settled, and I made some friends. I had to tell the Spiritual Director that he needed to get a better handle on the liturgy.
 
natl-cursillo.org/whatis.html

I went to a Cursillo weekend several years ago and it was a wonderful spiritual experience. I look forward to going again one day. Look into it, i promise you that you will not be disappointed.
 
benedictgal said:
. . . The music was terrible .
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That would be an addendum to my earlier post. I had to get out of the chapel quickly during what was supposed to be a time of meditation in preparation for Confession; I couldn’t take the insipid music - the priest was in agreement.
 
FCEGM said:
That would be an addendum to my earlier post. I had to get out of the chapel quickly during what was supposed to be a time of meditation in preparation for Confession; I couldn’t take the insipid music - the priest was in agreement.
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I am sorry you had a not so good experience at Cursillo. The music was very good at mine. I thought it was directed well spiritually also. I am sure it all depends on who is the director of the weekend.
 
lindalout49 said:
I am sorry you had a not so good experience at Cursillo. The music was very good at mine. I thought it was directed well spiritually also. I am sure it all depends on who is the director of the weekend.
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I agree, Linda. Everything about the weekend I attended was fine (very orthodox) - except for the music. 🤷 I did, though, very much enjoy singing of “De Colores” - it’s infectious! :dancing:
 
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