About Cursillo
The Cursillo (pronounced Kur-see-yo) Movement is a movement of the Catholic Church dedicated to helping people encounter God’s love, live authentic Christian lives, and bring Christ into the environments where they live, work, and serve each day.
The Purpose of Cursillo
At its heart, the Cursillo Movement seeks to:
• Help people live what is fundamental to being Christian in a natural, joyful, and authentic way.
• Form strong Christian communities in parishes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and social settings.
• Convert their environments (family, work, friends) by living in a way that attracts others to Christ.
Rooted in the Catholic Church
The Cursillo Movement is:
A movement of the Catholic Church
Approved by the Pope
Supported by Bishop Ricken and bishops throughout the world
Active in dioceses across the globe
In December 1963, Pope Paul VI gave his approval to the Cursillo Movement.
He appointed St. Paul as the official Patron and Protector. On that occasion he said in part, “This method of Christian teaching commonly called Cursillos in Christianity extends already over a great number of the faithful and has produced abundant fruit …Christian renewal of the family life…vitalization of parishes…faithful observance of duties in private as well as public. All this has filled with the greatest satisfaction the Bishops and the other shepherds of souls.
A Simple Method for Living Faith
At the heart of Cursillo is a simple, balanced approach to Christian life:
Piety
Growing in a personal relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments
Study
Learning and reflecting on our faith
Action
This method helps Christians live their faith authentically and consistently—long after the weekend ends.
Here in the Diocese of Green Bay, Cursillo has been forming disciples and building Christian community for decades.
Living the Gospel and bringing Christ into our everyday environments
The Cursillo Weekend
The three-day Cursillo weekend is an introduction to the Movement’s method. Through prayer, presentations by clergy and lay people, small-group discussions, and the celebration of the sacraments, participants are invited to:
• Reflect on their lives and values
• Deepen their relationship with God
• Discover their role as Christian leaders in everyday life
The weekend is structured around themes of self-awareness, grace, faith, Christian living, and community, all within an atmosphere of prayer, reflection, and friendship.
Life After the Weekend:
The Fourth Day
The real work of Cursillo begins after the three days - the Fourth Day.
Through small group reunions and regular Ultreya gatherings, Cursillistas support one another in perseverance, growth, and mission. These communities help sustain faith, encourage accountability, and foster Christian friendship rooted in joy and trust.
A Brief History
The Cursillo Movement began in Spain in the early 1940s, emerging from efforts to renew Christian life among young people. Rooted in prayer, teamwork, and pastoral renewal, it spread quickly throughout Europe and beyond.
Cursillo came to the United States in 1957, beginning in Texas, and expanded rapidly across the country. In 1965, a National Secretariat was established, linking the Movement formally to the bishops of the United States. Today, Cursillo is a worldwide movement, present on every continent and supported by the Church at the international level.
Pope Paul VI, St. John Paul II, and Pope Francis all affirmed Cursillo’s mission, encouraging its members to be committed lay apostles who transform the world from within.
Vision and Mission
VISION
To facilitate the living and sharing of what is fundamental to being Christian through a discovery of three fundamental encounters: with oneself, with Christ, and with others.
MISSION
To communicate the best news of the best reality: that God, in Jesus Christ, loves us; communicated by the best means which is friendship; and directed towards the best of each one; which is the person; and his capacity of conviction, decision, and constancy.
St. John Paul II