The Leaders School of The Cursillo Movement

Of The Savannah Diocese Of

Savannah, Georgia

Technique Presentation

CURSILLO--The Importance of Thursday Night a) Content, b) It’s intent.

References:

1. (FI) Fundamental Ideas of The Cursillo Movement, 1992, Chap. VI, para 360-368.

2. (SOL) How To Program A School Of Leaders, pub #714, 1983, page 38.

3. (3-DM) Three Day Manual, 1999, pg 11 & 27-30.

The development of the 3-day cursillo, like the rest of the movement, didn't happen by chance. Over a period of years Eduardo Bonin and his group of young men from Majorca, Spain, with the help of the Holy Spirit, brought to this work their own experiences of God and life. Every weekend needs proper preparation in order to develop, in the candidates, a receptive soul, an awakening to the Spirit and a desire to learn more about cursillo. This is what Thursday is all about. It's all about beginnings. In the beginning there was a void of knowledge and recognition. These arriving candidates are void of knowledge about cursillo and are naturally apprehensive about this new experience they have heard so much about. They also will not recognize very many faces unless there are people from their own parish their to welcome them.

The Catholic Church policies regard secrecy as an impediment to free will and voluntary decision making. God wants us to love Him, but only because we want to. A free will requires complete information in order to make an informed decision. The national cursillo movement wants candidates to be adequately prepared and with this in mind we hope each candidate will have been to a group reunion and an Ultreya, and will recognize some of those members upon arrival.

A popular phrase among teens (and young adults) these days is WWJD or "What would Jesus do?" With just a little bit of thought I think we could come up with a whole list of things he would do. When meeting nervous candidates a warm welcome and genuine hospitality is always appropriate. Since they are arriving over the traditional dinner hour some food and drink would be very nice ( in keeping with the progressive spirit of the weekend keep it simple i.e.; soup and sandwiches). Hand shakes and hugs are OK. If the candidates have experienced Group and ultreya they will not be taken by surprise. Help them with their bags and escort them to the dorm to select a bed, then help them to make their bed so they won't have to do it during the silent retreat (it's disruptive to the other candidates who are trying to be silent). Friendly ice breakers are good, you know, introduction of yourself in the cursillo way (name, made my cursillo 19-- at so and so diocese or retreat center, I worship at so & so parish, my wife is Mary and we have 3 kids) then the candidate will start gaining knowledge and start giving information about him/her self.

The general principals of Word and Testimony" begin. Thursday Night is important because it starts the introspection process: and it has the 1. Introduction talk by the Coordinator with formal introductions all around and a history of the movement and a brief overview of the weekend and what to expect. 2. everyone will get a pilgrims guide and a note book. 3. A silent retreat will commence for the next 12 hours, to give candidates a chance to calm themselves and to think about why they are here. 4. They will hear two (2) separate meditations "Know Yourself" and "The Prodigal Son". These Scripture based meditations are proclaimed by the spiritual direction team and the candidates then have time to reflect on their own personal testimonies to themselves. The third meditation, "The Three Glances of Christ", is given early the next morning before the retreat phase is over. 5. They then begin to experience a day in the life of a cursillista, rosary, penitential rite (examination of conscience), and night prayers from the pilgrims guide.

It's important for the candidates to see the team being enthusiastic and reverent and fervent in prayer. Our mission is to teach the candidates our technique of evangelization and they need to see us doing it and believing in it. The people in the talk room are the "team" and the principal "teachers" and are expected to be involved with the candidates. The support team should have only minimal interaction with the candidates and help everything to flow smoothly from one activity to the next. The outside community should be involved with continual palanca for the team and candidates, but should remain away from the weekend in order to maintain a cloistered environment.