Diocese of Evansville   

Welcome to the Precursillo portion of the Go4th web site. Hopefully you will find some practical and useful information to use if you are considering sponsorship of a candidate or if you are a candidate trying to learn more about Cursillo.

The purpose of the Cursillo movement is to enable the evangelization of environments for Jesus Christ by the selection and education of natural leaders in those environments. It allows people to live what is fundamental to being a Christian and to more fully experience Christian life.

The emphasis of the Cursillo movement is the evangelization of environments such as family, neighborhood, social and workplaces. This occurs in the 4^th Day aspect of the movement or what is termed "Postcursillo". In order to have a strong and effective Postcursillo, it is essential to have a well established and working process for the selection of leaders to make the 3-Day Weekends. This is the goal of Precursillo. The entire 4^th Day community is a vital element of the Precursillo.

There is much literature available about Precursillo, and this information here represents only a small part of what is available. Some additional resources are the "Leader’s Manual", the "3-Day Manual", and "Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement". These are available from the Office of the Cursillo National Secretariat, P.O. Box 210226, Dallas, TX 75211. 

The series of questions and answers which follow will provide some basic information for Cursillo sponsors and potential candidates. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather the most frequently occurring questions. We hope you will find this information helpful. Should you have a need for additional information, feel free to contact the Precursillo chairpersons by e-mail [ click here ].

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. 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. They must be a PRACTICING CATHOLIC. The Cursillo movement is a movement within the Catholic church and is based on the Catholic faith. 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. 

2. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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 Catholic Church should not go (i.e. marital problems, drug or alcoholic problems, recent bereavement of a loved one, etc.) 

5. 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 approximately two months prior to an upcoming weekend.

6. How long will it be after submitting an application before I will be invited to make a Cursillo weekend?

Typical waiting times range from one to six months under normal circumstances. Occasionally last minute cancellations for a weekend occur, thereby creating openings which may allow some candidates to attend earlier if their schedule permits. The basic premise of inviting candidates is in chronological order of receipt of the applications. 

7. 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 4^th 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 4^th day.

8. 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.

9. 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 Sarto 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. Giving of gifts (flowers, mementos, etc.) while the candidate is on the 3-day weekend is not appropriate.

10. 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 4^th Day will be mailed to each sponsor with the candidate’s invitation. Sponsors are responsible to bring their candidate to Sarto on Thursday evening of the Weekend between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. Plan to participate in the Dedication Service held in the Sarto Chapel which begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.

 

11. As a sponsor, what do I need to do to ensure my candidate’s successful entrance into the 4^th 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 4^th 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.

12. What is the cost for a Cursillo weekend?

The suggested fee is $125 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.

13. 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.

14. Where can I get a Cursillo application form?

An application form is available on the Evansville Cursillo  web site [ click here ].  They are also available from the Pre-Cursillo Chairpersons.

15. 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 Evansville Secretariat.

16. 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 Evansville has changed in recent years and there is no longer a requirement that the husband attend first. 

17. One member of a married couple would like to make a Cursillo, but the other spouse is currently not interested in doing so. What steps need to be taken?

Pray and be patient. The Cursillo Movement holds in highest regard the Sacrament of Marriage and the special relationship between a husband and wife. It is the goal of Cursillo that becoming involved with the Movement will have only a positive effect on the marriage relationship of two people. In the case of married couples, the Cursillo Movement greatly prefers that both spouses attend a 3-day Weekend. The purpose, strategy and methods of Cursillo, if fully lived, will have an effect on the lifestyle of each person making the Cursillo weekend. In those instances where one spouse desires to make the weekend and the other does not or cannot, it is a requirement of the Movement that a brief meeting be held to explain Cursillo. This meeting will include the sponsor, the candidate, the non-attending spouse and the Pre-Cursillo Chairpersons. During this meeting, an explanation will be provided of the Cursillo Movement and the goals and expectations of Cursillo. If, after this meeting, both spouses agree that it is okay for only one to attend, then the invitation may be extended for an upcoming weekend.

18. My spouse and I are divorced. Can I make a Cursillo weekend?

The essential guideline here is whether you are in good standing with the Catholic church and whether you are eligible to receive the sacraments. In most instances, a divorced person will be able to make a Cursillo weekend. Other extenuating circumstances should be discussed with your sponsor or spiritual director.

19. 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.

20. If I am unable to attend a Cursillo to which I am invited, what steps should be taken?

In the instance where you have been invited and cannot attend, it is simply a matter of returning a pre-addressed post card to the Pre-Cursillo chairpersons. If you have already accepted the invitation and returned the post card indicating your plans to attend and your plans change, it is essential to contact your sponsor immediately by phone to advise them of this information. The sponsor should then contact the Pre-Cursillo chairpersons so that changes can be made and an invitation extended to the next candidate on the list. Generally speaking, there is a waiting list of candidates to make the 3-day weekend; therefore, it is extremely important that information concerning cancellations be provided as quickly as possible.

21. Can I be considered for making a Cursillo at the "last minute" in the event another candidate has to cancel?

This is important information to make your sponsor aware of and to make note of on your application. Because of a relatively large number of people attending the weekend, it is fairly common to have a schedule change or cancellation at the "last minute". In those instances it is helpful to know of candidates whose schedules are flexible to be able to replace the candidate who had to cancel out at the last minute.

22. 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 Evansville Diocese a 3-day weekend is attended solely by practicing Catholics 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. In the instance of mixed faith marriages, Cursillo supports and encourages a non-Catholic spouse to make one of these weekends concurrent with the Catholic spouse making a Cursillo.