Cursillo

[maryjk]

I don’t believe we were misled. We were aware she had already made her Cursillo. We thought she was there for support. We were proud to have shared a table with her. We were proud she had such strength to give testimony. We were proud to support her.

Some here had people sitting at their tables, pretending to be making their Cursillo. They only found out that they were actually part of the group putting on the weekend when the person stood up to talk. They believe that they were misled. I was told that the group here does that. Unless you ask them a direct question, they will not tell you. I believe that is misleading.

Your local group doesn’t seem to do that. If you were aware that she had already made her Cursillo, then of course you didn’t feel misled.

 

[KimberlyAnn0218]

Some here had people sitting at their tables, pretending to be making their Cursillo. They only found out that they were actually part of the group putting on the weekend when the person stood up to talk. They believe that they were misled. I was told that the group here does that. Unless you ask them a direct question, they will not tell you. I believe that is misleading.

Your local group doesn’t seem to do that. If you were aware that she had already made her Cursillo, then of course you didn’t feel misled.

**Let it go. **
Seriously. There is nothing sinister here. Assume good intent.

I felt lifted up by that part of the cursillo-Pride in my table. It is a suprise. Now let it go.

You could find something sinister with even the brand toilet paper they used if you tried hard enough. There is a METHOD. There is a PURPOSE to the method. There is a FLOW and it is based on experience. The “high” that people talk about fades quickly. Mine did and it’s not because I am doing the cooking again Cursillo is an immersion. It is short to fit with people’s lives. YOU ARE SO WELL SUPPORTED during this-at least I was. I concede that not all places have it the way I did, but they are supposed to.

What I walked away with is/are: New friends, and understanding the God meets me where I am, that I do not have to stand on a street corner shouting the Gospel-I can simply try my best to be the face of Christ to all I meet. That I am supported and accepted and loved. If I fall I CAN get back up. God WANTS to forgive and wants me to work hard. Being baptized means that I share in the responsibility of sharing the news of Jesus Christ in any way I feel comfortable. Pray. Listen. Listen. Listen. Pray some more. Then act.

Let go and Let God.

Kim

 

[DebChris]

**Let it go. **
Seriously. There is nothing sinister here. Assume good intent.

I felt lifted up by that part of the cursillo-Pride in my table. It is a suprise. Now let it go.

You could find something sinister with even the brand toilet paper they used if you tried hard enough. There is a METHOD. There is a PURPOSE to the method. There is a FLOW and it is based on experience. The “high” that people talk about fades quickly. Mine did and it’s not because I am doing the cooking again Cursillo is an immersion. It is short to fit with people’s lives. YOU ARE SO WELL SUPPORTED during this-at least I was. I concede that not all places have it the way I did, but they are supposed to.

What I walked away with is/are: New friends, and understanding the God meets me where I am, that I do not have to stand on a street corner shouting the Gospel-I can simply try my best to be the face of Christ to all I meet. That I am supported and accepted and loved. If I fall I CAN get back up. God WANTS to forgive and wants me to work hard. Being baptized means that I share in the responsibility of sharing the news of Jesus Christ in any way I feel comfortable. Pray. Listen. Listen. Listen. Pray some more. Then act.

Let go and Let God.

Kim

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of us Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth…

I copied this prayer from your signature line. Every meeting begins with this prayer. This prayer is also the first prayer of the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the prayer we as Catholics pray every Pentecost.
God is the potter. We are His clay. How willing are we to be transformed by His love into the people He has called us to be?

 

[KimberlyAnn0218]

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of us Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth…

I copied this prayer from your signature line. Every meeting begins with this prayer. This prayer is also the first prayer of the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the prayer we as Catholics pray every Pentecost.
God is the potter. We are His clay. How willing are we to be transformed by His love into the people He has called us to be?

Very willing

 

[ElizMary]

I was just at a Cursillo this past weekend. I am a relatively new Catholic (though not a new Christian) and was received into the Church last May. I have loved my Catholic conversion experience and gratefully have been invited to participate in RCIA helping with the Inquiry process.

I get it that there is a lot of mistrust on this thread. My experience was that this is a carefully planned, heavy concentration of Christian evangelism within the context of Catholic teaching. It was a positive experience for me. Yes, I was tired but that mainly had to do with not sleeping in my own bed. I didn’t get a lot of free time in which to digest what was going on, but figured I’d have that chance once I got home. I never sensed any red flags and if I had, I’d have made it a point to tell someone in authority about it. We got plenty of 10-15 minute breaks and no one followed me I had a watch and no one seemed to care.

I did know a couple of people and was familiar with the spiritual advisor. I still am not thrilled about going to Reconciliation, but I make myself go and have always been happy afterwards that I did. I later learned that some people opted out, but being a newbie, I figured I was supposed to go. I knew the priest so no big deal. Look…Cursillo is a good thing. Does it make me a more effective Catholic? Probably not…that’s what the Eucharist and bible study and prayer are for. Would I still aim to live a grace-filled life and love my neighbor as myself without going to Cursillo? Absolutely! I went because I wanted to improve my relationship with Christ. No one twisted my arm. Fellowship with other real Catholics is always an uplifting experience. Just like Bible study is an uplifting experience. Don’t turn Cursillo into a witchhunt. It’s just an opportunity to enrich your faith. Nothing more and nothing less.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I was just at a Cursillo this past weekend. I am a relatively new Catholic (though not a new Christian) and was received into the Church last May. I have loved my Catholic conversion experience and gratefully have been invited to participate in RCIA helping with the Inquiry process.

I get it that there is a lot of mistrust on this thread. My experience was that this is a carefully planned, heavy concentration of Christian evangelism within the context of Catholic teaching. It was a positive experience for me. Yes, I was tired but that mainly had to do with not sleeping in my own bed. I didn’t get a lot of free time in which to digest what was going on, but figured I’d have that chance once I got home. I never sensed any red flags and if I had, I’d have made it a point to tell someone in authority about it. We got plenty of 10-15 minute breaks and no one followed me I had a watch and no one seemed to care.

I did know a couple of people and was familiar with the spiritual advisor. I still am not thrilled about going to Reconciliation, but I make myself go and have always been happy afterwards that I did. I later learned that some people opted out, but being a newbie, I figured I was supposed to go. I knew the priest so no big deal. Look…Cursillo is a good thing. Does it make me a more effective Catholic? Probably not…that’s what the Eucharist and bible study and prayer are for. Would I still aim to live a grace-filled life and love my neighbor as myself without going to Cursillo? Absolutely! I went because I wanted to improve my relationship with Christ. No one twisted my arm. Fellowship with other real Catholics is always an uplifting experience. Just like Bible study is an uplifting experience. Don’t turn Cursillo into a witchhunt. It’s just an opportunity to enrich your faith. Nothing more and nothing less.

Very nice sentiment, except for one thing. Cursillo probably will make you a more effective Catholic because when you start internalizing what you have learned, which is a matter of growth, you will find yourself putting it into practice. Anything you do as a Catholic which brings you closer to the Lord, whether it is fellowship, Bible Study, Cursillo, etc., will make you a more effective Catholic. It has to–it is not meant for us Christians to keep the Good News to ourselves. We are commanded to share it, and the closer we get to the Lord, the more we want to share our faith with others. It is sort of a gift that keeps on giving.

 

[1catholic1]

zenit.org/article-10334?l=english

Permalink: zenit.org/article-10334?l=english

Holy See Officially Recognizes Cursillos

Holy See Officially Recognizes Cursillos

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 11, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Cursillo movement, a Christian renewal effort that started in 1949 in Spain and spread worldwide, was recognized officially by the Holy See.

This movement received the decree of recognition today during the course of a Liturgy of the Word, at the headquarters of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, presided over by Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko.

Among those attending were leaders of the movement’s four international groups, as well as bishops from several countries.

The Cursillo movement is present in 60 countries, with a following of some 5 million. The basic idea of the cursillo, or “little course,” is a three-day retreat for those seeking God to whom the fundamental truths of the Christian faith are proclaimed.

The first cursillo was held from Jan. 7-10, 1949, on the island of Majorca, the fruit of the commitment of Catholic Action youth who had made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in the Marian year of 1948.

The cursillos spread so rapidly. Within five years, cursillos were held in all the continents.

At a May 2002 meeting with Cursillo representatives, John Paul II encouraged the process of discernment that led to today’s decree.

 

[1catholic1]

Permalink: zenit.org/article-4342?l=english

John Paul II Encourages the Cursillo Movement

“Follow Confidently the Way You Have Undertaken”

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2002 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II offered encouragement to the Cursillo movement, a Chrisitan renewal effort now present in 60 countries and 800 dioceses.

“The little seed sown in Spain more than 50 years ago has become a great tree rich in fruits of the Spirit,” the Holy Father said.

The basic concept of its spiritual way is the “cursillo” (little course): a three-day retreat for those who are seeking God, to hear the fundamental truths of the Christian faith. The idea was first implemented in 1948, with a pilgrimage of youth to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. The initiative spread and today is lived by over 8 million people.

John Paul II and members of the movement recalled the Holy Father´s words when he met with the new movements at Pentecost 1998: the need to “grow in ecclesial awareness and identity.”

On this point, the Cursillo movement recently took an important step by petitioning for canonical recognition and approval of its statutes by the Holy See.

On Saturday, John Paul II appealed to its members to be “courageous witnesses of the ´deaconry of truth´ and to act with the ´force of communion.´”

The proclamation at the heart of this movement is the call “to fix one´s gaze on the face of Christ,” the Pope said, as he requested in his apostolic letter “Novo Millennio Ineunte.”

The Holy Father emphasized that this gaze implies “trust in the primacy of grace to undertake a journey of catechesis and prayer, of conversion and holiness of life,” whose fruits will be “a solid sense of belonging to the Church and a renewed impetus for evangelization in the realms of daily life and activity.”

“Dear Cursillistas! Follow confidently the way of formation and Christian life that you have undertaken with so much generosity,” John Paul II concluded. “Duc in Altum! [Go into the deep!]”

 

[1catholic1]

Mummsie:
Now I think you are divulging information that is only meant to enrich the experience of the participants. There is a specific reason for this person being present…and it is only for the participants benefit.

You will leave Cursillo with a special bond with everyone you with which came into contact. Every single thing there is done in the spirit of true Christian charity and love. As Catholics and Christians God wants us to love all of his children, not just the ones we pick and choose. How dare you ruin the experience of others just because you think you feel you are entitled to know every specific detail. Sometimes you have got to take a leap of faith or your spiritual life will not grow. You either want to go or you don’t. Do not judge what you do not know.

You get from Cursillo what you put into it 10 fold. Everything at Cursillo has been well thought out and happens for a very good reason with your experience in mind.

There is ABSOLUTELY nothing in contradiction to Magesterium Of The Catholic Church in the Cursillo Movement. Bottom line, you hug if you want to hug, you talk if you want to talk. No crayons or markers, no divulging of any information you don’t want to divulge. No being made to feel out of place. The food was absolutely normal cuisine for my part of the country. Concentrating on the Lord… THAT is the point of not having a watch or phone…neither my watch nor phone were taken away from me…I chose to put them away after the second day when i was totally at peace with my surroundings and realized that the whole purpose of me attending was to get away from the entrapments of this world and become closer to the Lord. You must be one who brings their cell phone to Holy Mass and watches the time throughout Mass. I have two children and made sure they were safe before I left. In case of an emergency, my family was able to contact me, and at one Cursillo I worked, a participant’s family did and he was allowed to speak to them and chose to leave. NO ONE WILL HOLD YOU AGAINST YOUR WILL and a fuss will not be made about you leaving!!! Enough with the conspiricy theories…you either want to go or not!

By the way… I attended a Catholic Cursillo (there are events called Cursillos in other faiths at this time also) and have participated in several after I attended. This is first hand information.

 

[gh4]

This is from a person who flunked cursillo…

Nah, let me put it simply. Cursillo isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and go with caution.
It can be devastating if it’s not for you.
I am finally back to going to church after missing 15 weeks of mass.
It took a lot out of me, and I’m not sure when I will finally be over it.

 

[cjmclark]

Now I think you are divulging information that is only meant to enrich the experience of the participants. There is a specific reason for this person being present…and it is only for the participants benefit.

You will leave Cursillo with a special bond with everyone you with which came into contact. Every single thing there is done in the spirit of true Christian charity and love. As Catholics and Christians God wants us to love all of his children, not just the ones we pick and choose. How dare you ruin the experience of others just because you think you feel you are entitled to know every specific detail. Sometimes you have got to take a leap of faith or your spiritual life will not grow. You either want to go or you don’t. Do not judge what you do not know.

You get from Cursillo what you put into it 10 fold. Everything at Cursillo has been well thought out and happens for a very good reason with your experience in mind.

There is ABSOLUTELY nothing in contradiction to Magesterium Of The Catholic Church in the Cursillo Movement. Bottom line, you hug if you want to hug, you talk if you want to talk. No crayons or markers, no divulging of any information you don’t want to divulge. No being made to feel out of place. The food was absolutely normal cuisine for my part of the country. Concentrating on the Lord… THAT is the point of not having a watch or phone…neither my watch nor phone were taken away from me…I chose to put them away after the second day when i was totally at peace with my surroundings and realized that the whole purpose of me attending was to get away from the entrapments of this world and become closer to the Lord. You must be one who brings their cell phone to Holy Mass and watches the time throughout Mass. I have two children and made sure they were safe before I left. In case of an emergency, my family was able to contact me, and at one Cursillo I worked, a participant’s family did and he was allowed to speak to them and chose to leave. NO ONE WILL HOLD YOU AGAINST YOUR WILL and a fuss will not be made about you leaving!!! Enough with the conspiricy theories…you either want to go or not!

By the way… I attended a Catholic Cursillo (there are events called Cursillos in other faiths at this time also) and have participated in several after I attended. This is first hand information.

This is from a person who flunked cursillo…

Nah, let me put it simply. Cursillo isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and go with caution.
It can be devastating if it’s not for you.
I am finally back to going to church after missing 15 weeks of mass.
It took a lot out of me, and I’m not sure when I will finally be over it.

Cursillo, like much else in our religious lives, requires discernment. For some it will be an incredible spiritual experience, for others it will not hold much meaning, and for others it may be a terrible experience. There is no guarantee that for a given individual making a given Cursillo it will be any one of the three, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you do it.

Glad you’re back, gh4.

 

[maryjk]

This is from a person who flunked cursillo…

Nah, let me put it simply. Cursillo isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and go with caution.
It can be devastating if it’s not for you.
**I am finally back to going to church **after missing 15 weeks of mass.
It took a lot out of me, and I’m not sure when I will finally be over it.

I am so glad you are going back.

Please remember, there are many faithful Catholics that have never attended a Cursillo weekend. It is an option, NOT a requirement.

 

[Lady_Love]

I have been doing some ready on line. I know, I know…but since no one wants to talk about it. I have to find information somewhere. Sorry I won’t pay for and attend a weekend where all I know is that, “wow, I had a great time.”

Some of the information online indicates that there are some things going on during the weekend that are maybe not to my liking. Such as

Love Bombing (gifts and hugs from people I don’t know and forced togetherness)
Extreme lack of sleep ( up and in the group by 7am and not to bed until after 11)
Classes run by people that may not know Church teaching (more of whoever volunteers to talk rather than the most qualified)

Has anyone had those experiences?

There are no forced hugs. You go to bed somewhat late (no later than 10pm usually) but your not pulling an all nighter. The focus of the retreat is on “relationship with Christ” so anyone who has a relationship with God as a Catholic is qualified.

I highly recommend it. It was the best weekend of my life. I have never been closer to Jesus as on that weekend.

 

[Lady_Love]

I made my Cursillo in May of 2008. It was the most intimate experience I have ever had with the Holy Trinity. I call it “My honeymoon with Jesus.” I also refer to Cursillo as “a box within a box.” I was always a devout Catholic but it was as though I entered into “the inner room” that I did not even know was there. I journeyed deeper into the “heart” of the Church.

 

[gh4]

There are no forced hugs, ever at all.
But there are other things that I didn’t understand there, and I still don’t understand it.
There really is no need for all the secrecy in Cursillo. If they would have told me
that I would have 5 minutes in the shower for my alone time, once every 24 hours I would never have gone.
There was not one moment of the day or night when I was not with others. I peed with others, I ate with others, there was no privacy to dress even. 8 women crowded around a sink trying to brush teeth and comb hair and YUCK!
I had not one minute to myself. I’m a widow and I live alone, I cannot sleep in a lit room or in a room with 7 other people… I haven’t slept with anyone in my room for 30 years… (widowed at age 28) and I gotta tell you, people are NOISY when they sleep. One gal had to have a light on. I have to have total dark. ARGH! I was ready to go over the edge by Saturday evening. I left at 8pm and they were just then having their dinner… AT 8PM??? After that dinner there were still several more talks. Way too tight of a schedule for me.
And the stupid horrible posters and being graded by the priest and deacon and it was so humiliating. And being treated like a criminal when I had to have an escort to go to my room to get a couple of advil. Demeaning. If they thought I was a thief, they should have just denied my application.
Why can’t people go outside? Why are all the windows sealed up with paper? (the windows were VERY high and the cursillo people were the only people there, no need to worry about prying eyes) Why could we not know what time it was? Why all the carbs for food? Why all the secrecy?

I

 

[DebChris]

There are no forced hugs, ever at all.
But there are other things that I didn’t understand there, and I still don’t understand it.
There really is no need for all the secrecy in Cursillo. If they would have told me
that I would have 5 minutes in the shower for my alone time, once every 24 hours I would never have gone.
There was not one moment of the day or night when I was not with others. I peed with others, I ate with others, there was no privacy to dress even. 8 women crowded around a sink trying to brush teeth and comb hair and YUCK!
I had not one minute to myself. I’m a widow and I live alone, I cannot sleep in a lit room or in a room with 7 other people… I haven’t slept with anyone in my room for 30 years… (widowed at age 28) and I gotta tell you, people are NOISY when they sleep. One gal had to have a light on. I have to have total dark. ARGH! I was ready to go over the edge by Saturday evening. I left at 8pm and they were just then having their dinner… AT 8PM??? After that dinner there were still several more talks. Way too tight of a schedule for me.
And the stupid horrible posters and being graded by the priest and deacon and it was so humiliating. And being treated like a criminal when I had to have an escort to go to my room to get a couple of advil. Demeaning. If they thought I was a thief, they should have just denied my application.
Why can’t people go outside? Why are all the windows sealed up with paper? (the windows were VERY high and the cursillo people were the only people there, no need to worry about prying eyes) Why could we not know what time it was? Why all the carbs for food? Why all the secrecy?

I

This in no way describes my experience.
Did I sleep in a room with others? yes. We slept in the gym. We dressed in the women’s locker room. Yet, I did find time for privacy. Nor do I remember any of us dressing or showering in front of one another. No time limit was given. People showered and took care of personal hygiene at different times, according to personal preference. I was just thinking the other day how I found a literature book in the locker room and read one of the stories from it. Of course, it was 2 am, but I don’t have a regular sleep schedule, probably from all the years I spent working swing and graveyard shifts. I too have lived alone for many years.
There were set times for talks, communal prayers, and meals. This is nothing that I have not experienced on other retreats. We may often have retreated to our cots at the same time, but I do not remember ever having a private escort. There was also time for individually receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, spiritual direction, and Eucharistic Adoration. Actually, we went to Eucharistic Adoration as a table.
Cursillistas, individuals who have made Cursila in the past, prepare the meals. They prepare comfort foods with which they are familiar. They are not dieticians. Arrangements for those with special dietary needs were made. The vegetarian did not eat the fried chicken, nor was the diabetic served sugary foods. While I may not remember any of the individual meals I was served, I do remember them being good and nutritious.

One poster stated that a person gets out of Cursillo what they bring into it. This can be said for any spiritual experience. Am I open to being transformed? A different poster wished there was more time for reflection. She also accepted that this time for reflection might come after the weekend. Our spiritual journey is a lifelong process. The fourth day is a continuation of the journey begun over the three day weekend shared with other Cursillistas.

 

[gh4]

seems as though when it’s good it’s wonderful.

and when it’s bad, it’s horrible.

It changed my life, but not in a good way nor a comfortable way.
I’m hurt to the core and it’s taken something inside of me away.
I went with lots of hope for a great spiritual weekend. It never
happened. I never felt anything spiritual. And I wasn’t the only one.
One of my room mates made the comment: “now I know how women in
prison feel.” Yeah, I understand that statement.

 

[1catholic1]

I agree, The Cursillo Movement has enriched the lives of thousands of Catholics, but there are other ways to enrich your faith. I had a life changing experience there , and so did many of my close friends and family. That being said, I understand that Cursillo is not for everyone. The percieved ‘secrecy’ that is is perpetuated is genuinely intended as to not ruin anyone’s experience by giving them any preconceived expectations.

The emphasis of Cursillo is to stay close to the Church, participate frequently in the Sacraments, and the greatest Commandment…love the Lord your God with all of your heart and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself. We as Christians and Catholics are called to obey this commandment. CCC1823-1827 If you can manage that on you own, then that’s great. At the time I went more than 15 years ago, I was not very good at participating in the Sacraments wholeheartedly, and was not good at all at truly loving my neighbor as myself. Until you can give love unconditionally, you cannot accept love. Catholics are to be as Christ, he didn’t just love his family, his friends, or those he thought he could benefit from loving…he loved everyone. CCC1889 CCC1890

By the way, thats what the hugging is about…loving your neighbor as yourself…nothing fake about it…every person I hugged there had a story and felt safe enough to share it…many varied backgrounds from all walks of life and in every stage of healing and so when I hugged them, it was like hugging Christ to me. Pure compassion, no judging, no questions asked, just letting each other know that we are all children of the same God, and although none of of us are worthy of his love, we all share in his mercy. We are also called as Christians to sacrifice as an element of true prayer. CCC 2099-2100. Getting out of your comfort zone and doing without a few creature comforts for 3 days is a perfect example of this very imperfect sacrifice.

There is no excuse for hardness of heart as a Christian. To love is to will the good of another. CCC 1766 Remember that the caring hug you may have been too self-serving to give, may have been the hug that that one person needed to realize that the Catholic Church is not a bunch of stuffed shirts who only care about themselves.

Like I said, the elements of Cursillo may not be comfortable for everyone, but not sharing the love of Christ with those in time of need is not how you get to heaven. CCC 1826-1827 CCC 1830-1832 CCC 2196 CCC 2094

May God Bless You

 

[1catholic1]

by the way gh4, by leaving at 8pm on Saturday…you missed the best and most enduring and rewarding part of Cursillo. Again, you’ve got to give a little and participate to reap the rewards 10 fold. It is not intended to be a weekend luxury getaway, it’s intended to renew your faith by changing the way you live you life as a Genuine Catholic…not by being comfortable in the wordly lives we live, but by following the way, truth and life of Christ.

 

[DebChris]

I made my Cursillo in May of 2008. It was the most intimate experience I have ever had with the Holy Trinity. I call it “My honeymoon with Jesus.” I also refer to Cursillo as “a box within a box.” I was always a devout Catholic but it was as though I entered into “the inner room” that I did not even know was there. I journeyed deeper into the “heart” of the Church.

While I would not say this description applies to myself, I would say that it is an apt description for many people. We can stand on the outside of our Faith and actually be quite comfortable there. But God calls us to greater and greater intimacy with Himself. He calls us to enter that “inner room” and allow Faith to guide our journey deeper into the “heart” of the Church. He calls us to take the box from the back of the closet, to open and discover what is within.
A recent homily included a parable of a king who gave several servants each a gift to reward them for their service. The first was ungrateful and stomped on the gift with distain. He reasoned that in accepting the gift he would become a slave and lose his freedom. Another refused the gift because he saw himself as unworthy. One was disappointed that the gift was not the gold or jewelry he had expected but a mere loaf of bread while another recipient was so overwhelmed that the king should notice him that he took his gift and placed it where everybody could admire it. The final recipient took the bread he had been given and shared it with everybody he knew in thanksgiving.