Think of a short course in Christianity. That is exactly what the Cursillo Center offers. Cursillo means short course in Spanish. But it is more than just a weekend. The Cursillo Center is part of a larger movement. This movement started in Spain in the early 1940s.
It began with men wanting to bring young men to Christ. They shared thoughts on the world and bringing Christ’s light to it. The first Cursillo was held in the late 1940s. Today’s Cursillo weekends are similar to those first ones. The Cursillo Center has been refined. However, the core remains the same.
The Cursillo Center grew from spiritual renewal. Men of prayer sought to serve the Lord. The Holy Spirit inspired them. They dedicated themselves to teaching others about Christ. The Cursillo Movement came before the Second Vatican Council.
The first signs of the Cursillo Movement appeared in Mallorca during World War II. The Spanish Civil War had just ended. The Spanish Church was experiencing change. A pilgrimage to St. James at Compostela was planned. This journey aimed to renew dedication to apostolic work.
The pilgrimage created a specific tone. It represented restlessness and dissatisfaction with spiritual lukewarmness. It encouraged moving onward. Ultreya means onward in Spanish. It also fostered brotherhood among pilgrims. They strived for a life devoted to God and others. This pilgrim style defines Cursillo spirituality.
Preparation for the pilgrimage led to renewal efforts. Catholic Action groups in Spain were involved. These groups sought effective ways to work apostolically. The Cursillo Center grew out of this environment. It involved church renewal and teamwork. The Cursillo Movement developed organically. It wasn’t just a plan. It was the result of dedicated men working for God.
Initially, Cursillos were short courses. They were given to Catholic Action members. The goal was to form effective apostles. The first Cursillo in the United States occurred in Waco, Texas in 1957. Father Gabriel Fernandez and two Spanish airmen were key figures. These airmen were Bernardo Vadell and Agustin Palomino. They were training with the U.S. Air Force. Father Gabriel had attended Cursillos in Spain. He had been under the tutelage of Father Juan Capo and Eduardo Bonnin.
Vadell and Palomino moved to Mission, Texas. They started the first weekend there in late 1957. In 1958, they established a Cursillo Center in Laredo, Texas. Soon after, the movement came to Corpus Christi. By 1959, Cursillo had spread across Texas and to Phoenix, Arizona. The first national convention of spiritual directors took place that August. The Ultreya magazine began publication. The Cursillo Movement grew quickly across the United States.
All weekends were in Spanish until 1961. The first English-speaking weekend was in San Angelo, Texas. Throughout the 1960s, Cursillos were introduced in various places. These included Ohio, New York, California and Indiana.
The Cursillo Movement in the U.S. organized nationally in 1965. A National Secretariat was created. A National Cursillo Office was established here in Dallas, Texas. The movement is connected to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Today, Cursillo is a global movement. It has centers in many countries. These include Canada, Mexico and Great Britain. It is a member of the International Catholic Organizations. In 1980, the Cursillo Movement created an international office. It is called the OMCC. The OMCC coordinates international working groups.
Popes have addressed the movement. Pope Paul VI encouraged the movement to infuse Christianity into life. He urged them to act with responsibility and transform the world. Pope John Paul II emphasized living lives consistent with faith. He spoke of reuniting in one family through the Spirit. Pope Francis encouraged participants to keep pressing forward. He said to reach those who are distant without proselytizing. The Cursillo Center continues this mission today.