What is the Cursillo Movement?

Cursillo literature cites several different definitions for the purpose of the Cursillo Movement.  While the wording (definitions) may vary, the idea is the same.  This is due, in part, to the fact that the purpose of Cursillo is multi faceted.  No one definition can truly explain what Cursillo is.  However, all the definitions can give a much richer meaning to the purpose of Cursillo. 

  • One definition states: "The purpose (or goal) of the Movement is to make Christian community possible in neighborhoods, parishes, work situations and other places where people live the greater part of their lives. It makes possible for anyone in the world to live a Christian life in a natural way." 
  • Another definition lists the purpose of the Cursillo Movement as: "The leavening of environments with the Gospel."  In other words, changing the places we spend time by being Christlike in our thoughts, words, and actions. 
  • Still another definition states: "Since it is a movement of the Church, the Cursillo Movement has the same apostolic purpose as the Church herself.  And the Church, as Pope Paul VI told us, exists to evangelize." 
  • There is yet another definition that describes the purpose as such: "The Cursillo Movement is a movement of the Church which by means of its own method makes it possible for people to live what is fundamental for being a Christian, and to live it together; it helps people discover and fulfill their personal vocations, and it promotes the creation of core groups of Christians who leaven their environments with the Gospel."  These "core groups" are now referred to as "Environmental Groups."
As mentioned earlier, while the wording of these definitions may differ, their ideas are the same.  The Cursillo Movement is focused to help each of us fulfill our baptismal responsibility: to go forth, as apostles, and proclaim the Gospel.  We can no longer afford to sit passively by and "hope" that the world comes to know Christ.  We must make a conscientious effort to "tell" the world about Christ.  The Cursillo Movement provides us with the necessary tools for fulfilling our baptismal responsibility along with the training for using those tools.

In determining the purpose of the Cursillo Movement, it is important that we focus on two important aspects.  The first aspect: We are communal people.  The second aspect: We are teamwork people.

 

About Cursillo
History of the Movement
What is the Cursillo Movement
We are a Communal People
We are a Teamwork People
Purpose of the Movement
Conclusion

The 3-Day Weekend
© The Cursillo Logo is a registered trademark of the National Cursillo Center, Dallas, Texas.