What is the Cursillo movement?

Answer

The Cursillo movement is a Catholic-based training program that originated in Majorca, Spain, in the 1940s. A group of men organized a week-long training event for Catholics preparing to embark on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James at Compostela. Eventually, the training was condensed to three days and adjusted to focus on fostering change in community life rather than solely preparing for the pilgrimage. The complete title of the event was Cursillos de Christiandad, which translates to “little courses in Christianity” or “short course of Christianity.” The Cursillo movement expanded from Spain to Mexico and South America, then to French-speaking Canada, and subsequently worldwide. Presently, Cursillo weekends take place in over 60 countries.

During the three-day period (from Thursday evening to Sunday), participants (referred to as “cursillistas”) engage with fifteen distinct spiritual talks centered around the Christian life. Leaders of Cursillo stress the practical nature of the program: the talks are based on real-life experiences, serving as the foundation for small-group discussions. In addition to the testimonies, there are sessions of music, prayer, Christian service, and reflection.

Following a Cursillo event, participants are urged to integrate the teachings from the weekend into their everyday lives. The period post the Cursillo weekend is known as the “fourth day.” Subsequently, participants are encouraged to attend group reunions and larger gatherings known as Ultreya (“to go further”).

From its inception, Cursillo has aimed to be inclusive, and the program has been adjusted for use in various other denominations. Some branches stemming from the Cursillo movement include Tres Dias, Walk to Emmaus (Cursillo for Methodists), Journey to Damascus, Great Banquet, Diaspora, Jubilee Journey, Discipleship Walk, Faith Walk, Journey Through Faith, DeColores Ministries, Awakening, Chrysalis (for teens), and Kairos (a prison ministry). All these adaptations of Cursillo fall under the umbrella of the “tThree-day movement.” The movement is promoted by the World Body of Cursillos in Christianity.

There are a few aspects of the Cursillo movement and its offshoots that should cause believers to be cautious. First is the movement’s origin in Roman Catholicism. Cursillo proper is openly Catholic, although it is inclusive of non-Catholics as well. Websites for Cursillo often quote Pope John Paul II. Second, the Cursillo movement promotes ecumenism, which can be concerning for many Bible-believers. Third, participants in Cursillo seek subjective, mystical experiences. They may or may not be encountering God, but the subjectivity is such that a major Cursillo website refrains from fully describing what it’s all about: “The Cursillo experience is fundamentally mysterious because it deals with the most fundamental of all mysteries, which is God” (http://cursillos.ca/en/faq/f02-description.htm, May 5, 2016).

Finally, as in most ecumenical movements, the gospel is at risk of being diluted in Cursillo-related programs. Again from a Cursillo website: “The Cursillo Movement (CM) aims to share with the community the essence of Christianity and Christian values and thereby gradually transform the community from within” (http://cursillos.ca/en/faq/f01-but.htm, May 5, 2016). Note there is no mention of the gospel here— the “essence of Christianity” could be the gospel, but that’s not clear— leaving only “Christian values” to transform a community. Also on the same site: “The CM invites Christians to build a world, founded on the rock of love and friendship. But evangelization has to come from within, based on the strength and energy of personal conversion.” The Bible speaks of Christ building His church and of the Spirit empowering believers to evangelize. The Cursillo movement speaks of other things.

In the Protestant adaptations of Cursillo, there is likely much good that occurs. Christians gathering to pray, fellowship, and challenge each other to a deeper spiritual walk is biblical (2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13). Much depends on the organizers of the individual events and the leaders present. Believers invited to attend a Cursillo-based event should use discernment and carefully investigate the group and its leaders beforehand.