What is Cursillo?
What happens on a Three Day Weekend?
A Cursillo weekend is three days long, normally running from Thursday evening through to Sunday afternoon. The weekends are led by a team of lay people and clergy, who have all experienced a Cursillo weekend themselves. Away from the everyday pressures of life the participants and team form a Christian Community, learning, praying, sharing, singing and living together. The core of the weekend is a series of 15 talks and 5 meditations addressing the questions ‘Where is God in my life?’ ‘Where is God leading me?’ and ‘How can I put this into practice?’ These talks will be given by the leaders, clergy and lay, on some of the main areas of Christian life and faith, such as grace, faith and action. Each talk is followed by group discussion and time for reflection. There is a daily Eucharist, and opportunities for fun and fellowship. All this is supported throughout by prayer.
What are the benefits of the Three Day Weekend?
As a result of the weekends many Christians become more active in their Churches as they become more aware of their gifts. Cursillistas (i.e. those who have taken part in a Three Day Weekend) may report a new confidence in mission, and their new activities may include such things as sick visiting, leading worship and intercessions and leading house groups. For some a sense of vocation is awakened as well and they go on to offer themselves for Reader or Ordained ministry. Perhaps the most frequently reported benefit of the Weekend is a powerful experience of the love of God.
What happens after the Three Day Weekend?
After the three day weekend the new Cursillistas go into the Fourth Day, (the rest of their lives), returning to their parishes, refreshed and renewed. They are encouraged to join small local Group Reunions which meet regularly with other Cursillistas. The meetings last from half an hour to an hour during which members, following a set pattern, will be invited to share what they have learnt about God since they last met, moments in which they have felt close to Christ and ways in which they have attempted to infuse the community of which they are a part with Christian values. All are invited to share encouragements and disappointments, and to discuss any action they propose to take in the furtherance of the Gospel. This underscores and supports apostolic action, providing a structure for a lifetime's experience of Christian love and service.
Will Cursillo take members away from my church?
Certainly not! As already noted, you may find that they become much more active members of your Church.
To whom are the Cursillo officers accountable?
Both the Diocesan Spiritual Director and the Diocesan Lay Director are appointed by the Diocesan Bishop and are directly accountable to him/her. They are also accountable to the President of the British Anglican Cursillo Council and are themselves members of the Council during the term of their appointment. All Anglican Cursillo officers must be active members of Anglican Churches.
Through Cursillo the love of God is experienced afresh, an experience which draws us into prayer and compassionate action. Because of this, Cursillo is a much needed instrument for the renewal of the life of the Church today, and one for which I give thanks.”
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Most Rev’d Justin Welby
A Brief History of Cursillo
Cursillo originated in Spain and came into the UK in 1981. It is now active in most dioceses, under the umbrella of the British Anglican Cursillo Council (BACC). It is also active in nearly all the South and Central American countries, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Portugal, Puerto Rico, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Australia, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, several African countries and South India.
Why use Spanish terms?
The Spanish words used simply reflect the roots of the organisation.
Is a Cursillo weekend suitable for all members of my congregation?
No. Anyone who is going through a time of personal crisis - for example who is undergoing treatment for depression or mental illness - may need to wait until life has, for them, returned to an even keel before embarking on an introductory weekend. Discernment also needs to be used in the case of those recently bereaved.
For further details, please contact …
Diocesan Spiritual Director: Rev J.Morton, 37 Tothby Lane,
Alford, Lincs, LN13 0AQ, 01507 622639, Email
Diocesan Lay Director: Marilyn Reeve, 136 Fairway, Waltham, Grimsby, N.E.Lincs, DN37 0NG, 01472824598, Email
This page was originally produced for answering the numerous questions that are asked especially from the clergy.
A copy can be downloaded as a leaflet for reading and distributing to friends, neighbours and for leaving in your church.
To download click on: Lincoln Cursillo Clergy Information