‘What is Cursillo and what did it mean to me?’
The formal way to explain Cursillo is as “a short course” in Christianity. Of course, it is also much more than that.
The formal way to explain Cursillo is as “a short course” in Christianity. Of course, it is also much more than that.
Deb Benedict, who took part in a Cursillo weekend in March of 2014, offers the following reflection about Cursillo:
Having grown up Catholic and gone to Catholic high school back in Buffalo, New York, I’ve always had this feeling that there was more to my faith than what I fully understood. More what, I wasn’t sure, but I wanted to keep growing and allowing my soul to be touched more deeply by God.
It was on my Cursillo weekend that I found everything I sought. The best way to describe it is is that I used to have Jesus in my head, and now He is in my heart. That feeling is so powerful and comforting, and I sincerely hope to share it with everyone.
When I tell people about my Cursillo weekend, I usually use Psalm 42 as a reference. It reads, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.” That was me! Now that my “yearning for him” has been quenched, my new “yearning” is to help ALL Catholics find, feel, and fulfill those yearnings.
That is why I believe the Cursillo movement was developed by Eduardo Bonnin back in the 1940s in Spain. He had a vision of creating a “short course” in Christianity that would bring people in his parish into a closer relationship with our Lord. Over the decades, Bonnin’s vision has taken root and transformed the faith journeys of Catholics the world over.
Today, I love to imagine what our world would be like if everyone could say, “Hallelujah, I have found Him!” To know that he loves YOU! To share that with others. That is why we, as Cursillistas (someone who’s lived a Cursillo weekend), say yes to promoting and working Cursillo weekends. Because we all believe that this, Cursillo, does work if we let it.
That is Cursillo. It is a place of healing, growth, and heart knowledge. And when my soul panted and thirsted for the living God, Cursillo is where I found Him.
I’m sure that Cursillo is where you can find Him also. Please join us!
2023 Weekend Schedule
Men’s - Oct. 12-15
Women’s - Sept. 21-24
Both weekends will be at:
Camp Dainava
15100 W. Austin Rd.
Manchester, MI 48158
For more information
Contact: Maria Eugenia Rodriguez
517.745.3819
or Marybeth Kaak 231.920.7207
