What is Cursillo?
Cursillo in Christianity is a movement which, by its own method, attempts from within the Church, to give life to essential Christian truths. Cursillo is a Spanish word that means “short course”. The full title for Cursillo means “Short Course in Christianity”.
What Is the History of Cursillo?
The inspiration for Cursillo was a 1940 address by Pope Pius XII in which he challenged the Church to find a way to help people return to Christian values. His call to action was answered by Spanish leaders Eduardo Bonnin and Manolo Aparici in the 1940s. The movement was wildly successful in Spain. In the 1950s it spread like wildfire to Spanish speaking countries in the Americas. In 1955 Father Gabriel Fernandez brought the movement from Spain to the US Southwest. In 1962 Franciscan Father Fidelis Albrecht brought Cursillo to Cincinnati and translated all the materials into English. In 1966 Pope Paul VI endorsed the movement as did Pope John Paul II in 1980 and most recently Pope Francis in June 2022.
What Is the Objective?
The goal of the movement is that Christ be the prime influence in society.
The primary objective of the Cursillo Movement is to develop in adult Christians a consciousness of their role in bringing Christ to their families, and to the places where they work and socialize, and to sustain them as they live their walk of faith.
What Is Required?
A person who desires to join this movement must attend a weekend of preparation. In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cursillo weekends are held at the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood. Cursillo weekends begin on a Thursday evening and end on Sunday evening. During these three days, those attending live, pray, sing, and study together while listening to talks given by priests, other religious, and laity.
A Cursillo weekend is an exciting, prayer and joy filled experience!
Cursillo in Christianity is a movement which, by its own method, attempts from within the Church, to give life to essential Christian truths. Cursillo is a Spanish word that means “short course”. The full title for Cursillo means “Short Course in Christianity”.
What Is the History of Cursillo?
The inspiration for Cursillo was a 1940 address by Pope Pius XII in which he challenged the Church to find a way to help people return to Christian values. His call to action was answered by Spanish leaders Eduardo Bonnin and Manolo Aparici in the 1940s. The movement was wildly successful in Spain. In the 1950s it spread like wildfire to Spanish speaking countries in the Americas. In 1955 Father Gabriel Fernandez brought the movement from Spain to the US Southwest. In 1962 Franciscan Father Fidelis Albrecht brought Cursillo to Cincinnati and translated all the materials into English. In 1966 Pope Paul VI endorsed the movement as did Pope John Paul II in 1980 and most recently Pope Francis in June 2022.
What Is the Objective?
The goal of the movement is that Christ be the prime influence in society.
The primary objective of the Cursillo Movement is to develop in adult Christians a consciousness of their role in bringing Christ to their families, and to the places where they work and socialize, and to sustain them as they live their walk of faith.
What Is Required?
A person who desires to join this movement must attend a weekend of preparation. In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cursillo weekends are held at the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood. Cursillo weekends begin on a Thursday evening and end on Sunday evening. During these three days, those attending live, pray, sing, and study together while listening to talks given by priests, other religious, and laity.
A Cursillo weekend is an exciting, prayer and joy filled experience!
