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 What is the
National Episcopal Cursillo?
What is Cursillo? Cursillo is a movement of the church. Its purpose is to help those in the
church understand their individual callings to be Christian Leaders. The
leadership may be exercised in work situations, in the family and social
life, in leisure activities, and within the Church environment. Leadership,
in Cursillo, does not mean power over others, but influence on others; all
of us need to be aware that we can exert a positive influence on those
around us.
 What is the Goal
of Cursillo? The goal of Cursillo is the goal of the Church: to bring all to
Christ. This is done when informed, trained leaders set out with the support
of others having a similar commitment.
What does Cursillo
do? It helps to renew and deepen Christian commitment. Cursillo is one of
many renewal movements. Many people have said Cursillo provides an important
learning experience which causes many to feel like newly made Christians
with a purpose and with support.
What is the
Cursillo Movement About? Cursillo is patterned on Jesus' own example. He
searched out and called a small group of potential leaders (pre-Cursillo);
He trained them by word and example and inspired them with a vision
(Three-Day Weekend); He linked them together and sent them out into the
world to bring the world to Him (Fourth Day).
Pre-Cursillo:
During this period, sponsors (i.e. those individuals that have been to the
three-day Cursillo weekend and are living the Fourth Day) identify those
Episcopalians who are leading an active Christian life and are a living
witness to their love for Christ, recommending their candidacy. It is also
the period that selected candidates are informed of what to expect at the
three-day weekend and assisted in appropriate preparations.
 The Three-Day
Weekend: These three days bring together a diverse group of Episcopalians to share the
richness of many modes of worship and to broaden each one's appreciation for
our Church. Lay people conduct the weekend with two or three members of the
clergy functioning as spiritual advisors. Cursillo presumes that those who
attend are already well grounded in the faith. It is not intended to be a
conversion experience but an enriching and deepening of what is already
there. It often provides new insights into our faith as well as fostering
ministry among lay people. The weekend begins Thursday evening spent in the
Chapel with meditations and discussions. Then blessed silence is
kept until after the worship on Friday morning. After breakfast participants
are assigned to table groups for the weekend. The three days are filled with
talks and group discussions with emphasis on the doctrine of Grace, the
Sacraments, and the great Cursillo tripod: Piety, Study, and Action. Plus
there is fellowship, singing, good food, and time for privacy, meditation,
prayer, and walks. Eucharist is celebrated each day.
Fourth Day: The Cursillo weekend is not an end
to itself.
It is a starting point that lasts the rest of your life
and a springboard to a long-range practice of the
Baptismal Covenant in the life of the Church called the Fourth Day.
The
Fourth Day is composed of three major elements:
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The Group
Reunion the heart of Cursillo, is a small group of friends (usually 3-5)
who meet weekly, and who hold each other accountable for their spiritual
journey. They report on their piety, their study, and their apostolic
action. A bonding develops that institutes a strong support group for
life.
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The Ultreya
which is usually held monthly, is a "reunion of the reunions". It
provides support and builds community by allowing the sharing of
communal experiences.
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Spiritual
Direction is an important element of the Cursillo Movement. It is a
commitment to seek out skilled lay persons or cleric for spiritual
direction to provide help in deepening their union with Christ.
Are there Cursillo
Secrets? You may have been told by some who have attended the weekend that
they cannot tell you what Cursillo is all about or what goes on during a
Three-day weekend. This is not correct.
Everything that goes on during the
weekend may be told to anyone. Cursillo literature is available to anyone
who wishes to read or purchase the materials.
Want more
information? For information within your Diocese, call or write your
Diocese. For further information about the Episcopal Cursillo movement in
the United States, contact your NECC representative or the
NEC Office or
CLICK HERE FOR OUR BROCHURE.
“But grace was
given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And His gifts
were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some
pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for
building up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7, 11-12
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