FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

I would like to sponsor someone for Cursillo. What guidelines and expectations apply?

First of all pray ---"Speak to God about the candidate before speaking to the candidate about God". Second, make a friend, be a friend and bring that friend to Christ. The vision of the Cursillo Movement in sponsoring a person to make a 3-day weekend and become active in the movement is an important responsibility. The Eucharist is at the center of the Cursillo movement so it is important that a candidate be able to fully enter into the weekend by being able to share in that special Sacrament with the other candidates and team members. True discernment for considering a possible candidate is whether he/she is a leader in his/her environment and can evangelize for Jesus Christ in that environment.

What are the characteristics and qualities of a potential candidate?

Prospective candidates should have the natural qualities of "leaders" in the Cursillo sense of the word. They should have the courage and the initiative it takes to be able to influence their environments for Jesus Christ.

I've made a Cursillo 3-day weekend, but currently am not grouping or attending Ultreya, can I sponsor someone to make a weekend?

Authentic sponsorship must model Christian life and a sincere commitment to the ideals of the Cursillo movement. In order to identify and attract Christian leaders who can serve as leaven for their environments, sponsors MUST be living and practicing the methods of Cursillo, which include Group Reunion and Ultreya as a central focus. As such, if a Cursillista is not living the ideals of the Cursillo Movement, it would be inappropriate for them to sponsor a candidate for the 3-day weekend.

I have a potential candidate who is having some personal problems and who could really benefit from the 3-Day Weekend experience. Is it appropriate for this candidate to attend?

The focus of the 3-day weekend is on learning the Cursillo method and strategies, building Christian community and returning to his/her "environments" to evangelize for Jesus Christ. As such, those who have psychological or emotional problems or whose moral life is contrary to the teachings of the Church should not go (i.e. marital problems, drug or alcoholic problems, recent bereavement of a loved one, etc.)

After an application is submitted, what is the process from that point?

The Pre-Cursillo chairpersons will send an acknowledgment of receipt letter to the sponsor. The applications will be processed basically in chronological order of receipt. Invitations are extended to the candidates .

As a sponsor, what are the kinds of things I should tell my candidate about the 3- Day weekend?

The more you tell your candidate about the weekend before he/she goes, the better. Tell your candidate enough about the weekend so that they will not have any anxious moments. You can and should tell them the basic schedule and structure of the weekend's activities (i.e. names of talks, table discussions after the talks, etc.) Let them know they will celebrate Mass each day, that there are opportunities for Reconciliation and spiritual direction, etc. In other words, they should know the basic content of the weekend before they ever arrive. Feel free to witness to them about your Cursillo experience (not just the weekend, but your 4th Day as well). This will help them come prepared to enter into the wonderful weekend experience and be open to everything that comes after for them in the 4th day.

As a sponsor, what things should I do for my candidate while he/she is waiting to be invited to the 3 Day weekend?

Continue the process of mentoring and helping your candidate in forming himself/herself concerning the Cursillo movement. Prayerfully consider getting that person into Group Reunion and/or attending Ultreya. Provide information and answer questions concerning the purpose, strategy and method of Cursillo, emphasizing study and evangelization of environments.

As a sponsor, what kinds of things should I do for my candidate while he/she is making the Weekend?

First and most important, pray and do palanca . You are encouraged to sign up for an hour of prayer in one of the area Palanca Chapels. It is appropriate for you to provide transportation for your candidate to and from the site or make arrangements for them to get to and from the Weekend. Also, be available to the candidate's family for any assistance they might need while the candidate is on the weekend (i.e., child care, meals for the family at home or special personal concerns). Try to help enable the candidate to completely disengage from normal home/work activities for three days. The candidate needs to be reassured that you will be helping and filling in where needed for them in their absence.

What are the activities on the 3-Day weekend which a sponsor may be involved in?

A letter outlining activities for the sponsors and the 4th Day will be mailed to each sponsor with the candidate's invitation. Sponsors are responsible to bring their candidate to the site on Thursday evening of the Weekend between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. Plan to participate in the Dedication Service held in the Chapel which begins promptly at 7:30 p.m.

As a sponsor, what do I need to do to ensure my candidate's successful entrance into the 4th Day Community after the 3 Day Weekend?

It is extremely important to "walk" with your candidate over the next period of weeks and months as they become active members of the Cursillo 4th day community. Continue to pray with and for your candidate. Go out of your way to help them get into Group Reunion. Take them to Ultreyas and Cursillo formation workshops which may be offered. Persevere in evangelizing to your candidate and helping him/her to more fully know the purpose of the Movement.

What is the cost for a Cursillo weekend?

The suggested fee is $150.00 which covers the entirety of materials, food and lodging for the weekend. This fee should not prevent any candidate from experiencing the Weekend. If this amount imposes a financial hardship, it can be deferred or waived all together if necessary. At times, some sponsors may choose to cover the expenses for their candidates.

Are there any age requirements for making a Cursillo?

Candidates must be at least 21 years old. The candidate should have a mature attitude and be responsible for his/her actions.

Where can I get a Cursillo application form?

An application form is available from the Pre-Cursillo Chairpersonson. They are included in the take-home packet to the candidates on the Weekend, at any Ultreya or Cursillo workshop.

How do I get in touch with someone to sponsor me for Cursillo?

In order to make a 3-Day Cursillo weekend, the process begins with a sponsor and a candidate. It is the sponsor's responsibility to evangelize the candidate and to help form this candidate in the purpose, strategy and method of the Cursillo movement. This process may require more than a short period of time. The Cursillo method calls for sponsors to make a friend, be a friend and bring that friend to Christ. A candidate desiring to become active in the Cursillo movement should begin by talking with someone already in the movement who can pray with them, get to know them, mentor them and ultimately sponsor them for the 3-Day weekend. If you do not know someone who could be a sponsor, a possible starting point is to contact the Lay Director or any of the chairpersons from the Diocese of Chicago Secretariat.

In the case of married couples, is there a requirement that the husband make the Cursillo before the wife?

From the standpoint of the National Cursillo Secretariat, the matter of which member of a couple attends first is unimportant. The practice in the Diocese of Chicago has changed in recent years and there is no longer a requirement that the husband attend first.

I would like to attend the Cursillo weekend the same time as a friend, is this possible?

Special consideration is given to this request and this should be noted on both candidates applications. In some instances this may delay the timing of the invitation to make the Cursillo weekend. It is best to submit both applications at the same time in order to avoid this problem.

How does the Cursillo Movement recognize other denominational movements such as Tres Dias and Walk to Emmaus?

Cursillo weekends as prescribed by the National Secretariat are "of one faith"; therefore, in the Chicago Diocese a 3-day weekend is attended solely by practicing Episcopalians who are eligible to receive the sacraments of the church. It is possible in other areas that another denomination might have a movement referred to as "Cursillo". Locally the Cursillo Movement fully recognizes and supports other denominational movements such as Tres Dias and Walk to Emmaus.