Present Day

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The original movement of the 1940s has spread worldwide and is ecumenical. Its current shape is that of a “3 day weekend”, which represents the pilgrimage, and “the fourth day” and we have a dedicated Anglican movement.  

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The “fourth day” is a phrase that refers to discipleship activities that take place after the three day weekend. Not a literal day but the time period after the weekend / pilgrimage.

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This “fourth day” refers to that discipleship where people (usually those who have been on a Cursillo “weekend” but not always) gather to worship and praise God, pray together, share with one another and encourage one another in their discipleship. This is usually through 2 main ‘events’. The group reunion and an Ultreya.

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The group reunion is a time where between 3-6 people (usually those who have been on a Cursillo “weekend” but not always) have formed a group together. This is a safe and trusted space where people can share openly and honestly. The time together follows a pattern of liturgy, prayer, scripture and sharing using these prompts (show group reunion cards). It encourages people to share their discipleship journey through the lens of prayer (piety), study, and apostolic action. Three strands which will be familiar to those who have attended the weekend. There is also an invitation for people to think about planning next steps for their apostolic action. It offers gentle accountability, as this can be discussed the next time they meet.

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Examples of what people might share include answers to these reflections:

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• Share one thing you feel has nourished your union with Christ since we last met.

• Share something you have learnt from what you have read or experienced since we last met which has deepened your understanding of God’s ways or of your Christian calling.

• What steps have you taken since we last met in order to transform one of the environments of your daily life to make it more Christ like?

 

At all times, sharing is an invitation, people can pass without judgement.

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Ultreyas are a larger gathering and they are an opportunity for the whole of the Cursillo community in Peterborough Diocese to come together to worship and praise God, to share and to pray together. There is usually lots of singing involved too, and of course cake.

The aim of the “fourth day” element of Group reunions and Ultreyas is to encourage growth in discipleship and to generate servant hearted communities. In my experience, those churches with active Cursillo members can be identified through their servant hearted community.

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The Cursillo “3 day weekend” (representing the pilgrimage) is that which precedes the 4th day. It is a 3-day residential (Friday teatime to Sunday afternoon). The structure of the weekend is a series of talks, meditations, worship and quiet time which is supported by a comprehensive staffing team to support the flow of the weekend to accompany pilgrims on their journey. The staffing team is made up of lay leaders and at least 2 clergy (called Spiritual Advisors) to support the weekend and to be on hand to guide, support and advise any of the pilgrims and staff. The clergy are those who are licensed to work in the diocese either through holding a post or through having PTO.

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If a pilgrim is attending a weekend they are supported by a pilgrim partner (who is someone who has previously attended a weekend and is an active member of 4th day activities). This partner will talk through the flow of the weekend, answer any questions they might have and hold the pilgrim in prayer whilst they are “making their Cursillo”.

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The weekend has 3 key phases:

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• The first phase is “Looking Inwards” and is about “Understanding Myself”. Pilgrims are invited to reflect on their own response to God, what is important to them in their faith journey, how they recognise God’s grace, what it means to be a Christian, and what might be their response to God’s call.

• The second phase is “Looking Upwards” and is about “Understanding Christ”. Pilgrims are invited to reflect on how they seek to strengthen and develop their response to God, and how they can live by grace.

• The third phase is “Looking Outwards” and is about “Understanding how Christ is calling me”. Pilgrims are invited to reflect on the community and environment around them, and how faith can be put into action in collaboration with others.   

 

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Testimonies

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There are many examples where Cursillo has been a springboard for people to grow in their faith and to step out to serve their communities. People, feeling confident to be led by the Spirit, take on formal roles and grow in confidence and faith in who they are and listening to and responding to where they think God might be calling them in their lives.

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“After the weekend this person had the confidence to sort out the Tea and Coffee Rota, then it was the Cleaning Rota and Prayer Walk Rota.  Now she’s my amazing Church Warden.  The Course gave her the confidence to take her calling as a Baptised member of the Church seriously (that Jesus loves her and called her).”

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“I was encouraged to attend a Cursillo Weekend.   I was being called but didn’t have the confidence to face my calling.  I could hardly read in church without shaking…   After the weekend I went back to my home Church, feeling loved and confident in Jesus Christ.  This was the start of my vocational journey.”

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“A recent pilgrim reported that Cursillo has changed her life.  She wants to serve Christ in her Church, and I can see the change in her.”

A pilgrim attended the weekend, before the weekend I had to write the intercessions for her to read out in church.  Two weeks after her weekend—she now has the confidence to write her own prayers.”