Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Cursillo?
Cursillo is a lay movement within the Catholic Church that helps us better experience just how much Christ loves us. The term Cursillo means a “short course in Christianity.”
2. When did Cursillo Begin?
The Cursillo is a worldwide lay Movement began in Majorca, Spain in 1944, by Eduardo Bonnin and other lay people. The first Cursillo in North America was in Spanish and held in Waco, TX in 1957. The first Cursillo in English took place in San Antonio, TX, in 1961. By 1981 nearly all 160 dioceses across the US introduced Cursillo.
3. Is Cursillo for Me?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, then Cursillo could be for you. Living a Cursillo weekend is a great way to deepen your relationship with Christ. Participants feel renewed and refreshed after the weekend and feel more connected with other participants and Christ.
4. What Happens on a Cursillo Weekend?
The Cursillo weekend is a 3-Day experience. The Cursillo weekend begins on Thursday night and ends on Sunday. The participants called, “Candidates”, live and share together in prayer, song, worship and discussion. Discussions center on various talks called “rollos” given by laity and clergy. The talks concentrate on the theme of God’s grace and how it comes alive in the Christian community and expresses itself in the world. Candidates discover how grace is real in their lives, and how they can live in the life of grace, bringing it to others. There is the opportunity to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion and to begin to understand more fully the presence of Christ in His body of believers.
5. Why Do I Need a Sponsor?
The path of Cursillo is the friendship between people. Cursillo consists of making friends, being friends, and bringing their friends to Christ. Friendship is an effective approach to reach men and women in those places where they live so that they might hear the Good News that God loves them!! The sponsor will be your guide, your help, and your friend as you prepare for the Cursillo weekend. Your sponsor will also pray for you during your weekend and will orient you on whatever questions you may have about Cursillo. If you do not have a sponsor, talk to us so we can help. Please call the Pre-Cursillo Chairperson Lourdes (Lou) Lysonski at email: Lkuthy@protonmail.com or tel: 914-835-9038.
6. Where is the Cursillo Weekend Held?
The Archdiocese of NY Cursillo weekends are held at various retreat centers in the area.
7. Is There a Cost for the Cursillo Weekend?
The suggested cost is $300 for the entire weekend, which includes room and board. Larger donations are also accepted. If you would like to attend but cannot afford it, there are a limited number of scholarships.
8. I Lived My Cursillo Weekend, Now What Do I Do?
You want to stay involved to keep your spiritual fire burning! You want to live what is called your “4th Day”. The “4th Day” is an expression meaning the rest of your life. Your sponsor will introduce you into the larger Cursillo community which supports you to persevere in your journey of faith. Cursillo provides a way to continue the Cursillo experience beyond the 3 days through Group Reunion and Ultreya. Group Reunion is a gathering of 3 to 6 friends that meet regularly and share their faith journey through piety, study and action. Ultreya is a larger gathering that builds the Christian community beyond the Group Reunion and allows the participants to share their life in Christ with others to inspire their faith journey.
9. How Do I Register?
Send your application to:
Dick Hoffmani
Pre-Cursillo Chairperson
953 Unit B, Heritage Hills
Somers, NY 10589