Cursillos: an ecumenical experience

[EvangelCatholic]

The Cursillo movement started among Catholics in Spain; a group of laymen seeking ways to help the Church. Retreats focus on renewal in faith to be active in parish community. Mass is celebrated daily and the blessed Sacrament adored.

Quickly, other Christians adopted Cursillos [Methodist: “Walk to Emmaus”, Lutheran: “Vía De Cristo”]. Cursillos may include diverse Christians *. The impact of scripture, prayer & sacrament restores lay discipleship. A retreat one never forgets.

Your thoughts?*

 

[gh4]

Nope, I will never forget the horrible horrible experience I had with Cursillo. I got no time to myself, not even to go to the bathroom without someone with me. I got very little sleep and the food was nothing but carbs and I don’t eat carbs, so I was very very hungry. The priest graded our posters like it was the olympics and if you weren’t a great artist, of course your score was low, horribly humiliating. I left early and am not sure I will ever get over the trauma.

Now, to be fair, I hear that there are cursillo experiences that are good. But not where I’m from.

Now you want good, try a CHRP, Christ renews his parish. That was an unforgettable retreat that was fantabulous.

 

[Abbagail]

My father had a great experience with this.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Nope, I will never forget the horrible horrible experience I had with Cursillo. I got no time to myself, not even to go to the bathroom without someone with me. I got very little sleep and the food was nothing but carbs and I don’t eat carbs, so I was very very hungry. The priest graded our posters like it was the olympics and if you weren’t a great artist, of course your score was low, horribly humiliating. I left early and am not sure I will ever get over the trauma.

Now, to be fair, I hear that there are cursillo experiences that are good. But not where I’m from.

Now you want good, try a CHRP, Christ renews his parish. That was an unforgettable retreat that was fantabulous.

I understand. This urgency to renew faith can be exhausting. Personal retreats are best done in religious communities.

My point is the ecumenical benefit. Lutherans and Catholics communing together.

 

[Della]

When I went through Cursillo I had been in the Assemblies of God for about 20 years and had recently returned to the Episcopal Church of my childhood. It was held at a Lutheran church with people from several ecclesial communities, including, I believe, some Catholics, although my memory is a bit foggy since it was eons ago. Anyway, it was quite a moving experience for me and helped open my mind to a fundamental Catholic teaching I was trying to understand at the time. We did the Stations of the Cross as a part of the weekend–I don’t think all Cursillos do this so I don’t think I’m giving anything away by relating this part of it. Anyway, I think it’s a lovely way for baptized people to come together to share what they have in common with each other.

gh4, it sounds like the Cursillo you attended wasn’t conducted properly. No one followed us around all day so that we had no time to ourselves. That is strange and I can see how that would be freaky. Certain aspects are supposed to be kept secret so they come as lovely surprises as they come along, but that was taking it waaaaaaaaaaaaay too far! And no one individual was judged for what we made–we did our projects in groups and were rewarded as a group. Still, we were all told that whatever we had done was what we needed at the time, so it didn’t matter how good we did, only what we got from it mattered. The Cursillo team you had needs to reevaluate the goals of Cursillo and stop making it a competition or a jail term. As for food, it was all donated, so we ate whatever came in–we had a LOT of broccolli. Still, if we had special dietary needs, they tried to acommodate them. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. :console:

 

[EvangelCatholic]

When I went through Cursillo I had been in the Assemblies of God for about 20 years and had recently returned to the Episcopal Church of my childhood. It was held at a Lutheran church with people from several ecclesial communities, including, I believe, some Catholics, although my memory is a bit foggy since it was eons ago. Anyway, it was quite a moving experience for me and helped open my mind to a fundamental Catholic teaching I was trying to understand at the time. We did the Stations of the Cross as a part of the weekend–I don’t think all Cursillos do this so I don’t think I’m giving anything away by relating this part of it. Anyway, I think it’s a lovely way for baptized people to come together to share what they have in common with each other.

Yes, my first cursillos were Catholic & Lutheran. The unifying impact is quite astounding. It can become the first time for some Protestants to commune daily and follow modified Hours.

 

[Deana83]

I went in 2008. Was a little intimidated at first because I wasn’t Catholic but there were other people there who were other denominations so I didn’t feel like an outsider. I loved it, felt close to God and the other attendees. Once I get converted officially I’ll probably be on a team.

 

[Bonnie]

Cursillo isn’t supposed to be ecumenical - it’s supposed to be Catholic.

My husband went earlier this year & loved it, but non-Catholics (most non-Christian) outnumbered the Catholics. He wasn’t wild about that aspect. Many of the non-Christians seemed to be there to get off alcohol or drugs. I think Cursillo in this area is seen as a one-shot substitute for AA.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Cursillo isn’t supposed to be ecumenical - it’s supposed to be Catholic.

My husband went earlier this year & loved it, but non-Catholics (most non-Christian) outnumbered the Catholics. He wasn’t wild about that aspect. Many of the non-Christians seemed to be there to get off alcohol or drugs. I think Cursillo in this area is seen as a one-shot substitute for AA.

Cursillos are meant to draw Christians together. For many, it is the first experience to worship with others and draw others in; those seeking God with supportive nurturing Christians.

 

[Bonnie]

Cursillos are meant to draw Christians together. For many, it is the first experience to worship with others and draw others in; those seeking God with supportive nurturing Christians.

Even non-Christians? I’m not a very ecumenical person - if I go on a Catholic retreat, I want it to be Catholic. Some people wouldn’t mind spending their retreat time explaining things to non-Christians & non-Catholics - I would mind very much.

So no Cursillo for me. But I can go to the Ultreya meetings as my husband’s guest. I do like those - everyone who attends is Catholic. Several are exceptional Catholics whom I find to be excellant examples of Catholic living.

 

[Cath4life]

The Cursillo I attended was all Catholic. It has been a life changing experience and It has been the most authentic Christian Experience I have ever had.

The people I met are truly and genuinely following Jesus Christ and his bride The Church. It is sacramental, devotional and active. We are called to bring others to Christ, but it makes it easier that we share in our Catholicism during our groups. Even though it is one weekend, it can have a radical effect on your life.

God bless you on your journey!

Proud Graduate of Cursillo 55, Florida

 

[EvangelCatholic]

The Cursillo I attended was all Catholic. It has been a life changing experience and It has been the most authentic Christian Experience I have ever had.

The people I met are truly and genuinely following Jesus Christ and his bride The Church. It is sacramental, devotional and active. We are called to bring others to Christ, but it makes it easier that we share in our Catholicism during our groups. Even though it is one weekend, it can have a radical effect on your life.

God bless you on your journey!

Proud Graduate of Cursillo 55, Florida

Cursillos are exactly as you wrote; an intensely spiritual moment

 

[johnnyc176]

Even non-Christians? I’m not a very ecumenical person - if I go on a Catholic retreat, I want it to be Catholic. Some people wouldn’t mind spending their retreat time explaining things to non-Christians & non-Catholics - I would mind very much.

Same here. I have wanted to go but reading this thread I would be hesitant. Is there a way to find out before hand?

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Same here. I have wanted to go but reading this thread I would be hesitant. Is there a way to find out before hand?

Please consider the impact on others. It brings people into the Catholic world. For that, it is invaluable.

 

[johnnyc176]

Please consider the impact on others. It brings people into the Catholic world. For that, it is invaluable.

Not sure what you mean. Just want to know if I can find out all who would be in attendance before I went. Apparently some are run different then others. I guess I should just attend a Catholic retreat.

 

[Deana83]

Cursillo isn’t supposed to be ecumenical - it’s supposed to be Catholic.

My husband went earlier this year & loved it, but non-Catholics (most non-Christian) outnumbered the Catholics. He wasn’t wild about that aspect. Many of the non-Christians seemed to be there to get off alcohol or drugs. I think Cursillo in this area is seen as a one-shot substitute for AA.

Thank God the people I attended Cursillo with didn’t treat me that way if they had I probably wouldn’t be attending RCIA right now. They didn’t spend all their time explaining their religion. It was a “Christian” experience and I paid my fees the same as everyone else. As for people going to get off alcohol and drugs??? I met people who were broken in so many different ways and there for healing. I hope I will never become so Catholic that I would be offended for having to witness to non-Christians or non-Catholics.

 

[gh4]

I understand. This urgency to renew faith can be exhausting. Personal retreats are best done in religious communities.

My point is the ecumenical benefit. Lutherans and Catholics communing together.

That’s a new one on me, in our area you MUST be Catholic to attend Catholic Cursillo, and the only ones I’ve ever heard or known about are Catholic.

 

[Bonnie]

Thank God the people I attended Cursillo with didn’t treat me that way if they had I probably wouldn’t be attending RCIA right now. They didn’t spend all their time explaining their religion.

Treat you what way? My husband simply answered questions that were asked - and there were quite a few questions!

My point is that I had understood Cursillo to be a Catholic retreat, not an ecumenical retreat. My husband was surprised but rolled with it. Now that I’ve had a heads up about it, I doubt I will attend. But I’ll keep going to Ultreya meetings because they are Catholic.

 

[gh4]

When I went through Cursillo I had been in the Assemblies of God for about 20 years and had recently returned to the Episcopal Church of my childhood. It was held at a Lutheran church with people from several ecclesial communities, including, I believe, some Catholics, although my memory is a bit foggy since it was eons ago. Anyway, it was quite a moving experience for me and helped open my mind to a fundamental Catholic teaching I was trying to understand at the time. We did the Stations of the Cross as a part of the weekend–I don’t think all Cursillos do this so I don’t think I’m giving anything away by relating this part of it. Anyway, I think it’s a lovely way for baptized people to come together to share what they have in common with each other.

gh4, it sounds like the Cursillo you attended wasn’t conducted properly. No one followed us around all day so that we had no time to ourselves. That is strange and I can see how that would be freaky. Certain aspects are supposed to be kept secret so they come as lovely surprises as they come along, but that was taking it waaaaaaaaaaaaay too far! And no one individual was judged for what we made–we did our projects in groups and were rewarded as a group. Still, we were all told that whatever we had done was what we needed at the time, so it didn’t matter how good we did, only what we got from it mattered. The Cursillo team you had needs to reevaluate the goals of Cursillo and stop making it a competition or a jail term. As for food, it was all donated, so we ate whatever came in–we had a LOT of broccolli. Still, if we had special dietary needs, they tried to acommodate them. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. :console:

Thank you for your kind response Della. Perhaps what I need to find is an ecumenical one!
The one I went to was aimed at married gals as well, and I have been a widow since I was 28.
Broccoli would have been awesome!! I took my own apples and forgot to pack a knife and they would only give me a plastic knife to peel with… did you EVER try to skin an apple with a plastic knife? Doesn’t work!
I was incredibly disappointed and cried for a long time afterward.
Now, y’all have given me something to think about and research!!!

 

[EvangelCatholic]

There is an element of secrecy but only in what may happen to each retreatant. The Via de Cristo cursillos [Lutheran] focus on an encounter with Christ as a movement to strengthen spiritual growth Lots of hugging and good feelings and basically Catholic 101 study.