The Leaders School of The Cursillo Movement

Of The Savannah Diocese Of

Savannah, Georgia

 

Technique Presentation

 

CURSILLO -- Sunday of The Weekend

 

References:

1.  (FI) Fundamental Ideas of The Cursillo Movement, 1992, Chap. VI, para 411-442.

2.  (3-DM) Three Day Manual, 1999, pgs 17-18 & 37-38.

 

Sunday – the Third Day

 

We heard in the Thursday and Friday presentations, the purpose of the first day is to have the candidates examine themselves; to seek and identify their personal ideal.  This is considered the Proclamation stage of the weekend.

 

We heard during the Saturday presentation, the purpose of the second day is to appeal to the intellect or will of the candidates. This stage of the weekend is considered the Development of Christian Life.

 

The purpose of Sunday is to appeal to the candidates hearts. This stage focuses cursillistas on Going out to other people and to the world.  Sunday is dedicated to directing cursillistas to their future.

 

Sunday’s flow is similar to the experience of the previous two days. On Sunday, after the eleventh talk “Study and Evangelization of Environments”, ‑ the Team Coordinator reminds everyone of the necessity of making chapel visits and announces that there will be an abbreviated friendship reunion meeting. However, an opportunity is given to present written summaries and a poster of the day, as well as any personal reflections of each candidate.

 

During the “Christian Life” talk, the Commitment Sheets are distributed by a team member within each table group when indicated by the Spiritual Director giving the talk. The Spiritual Director explains the purpose of the commitment sheets, the need to prayerfully reflect before the Blessed Sacrament, and advises them to consult with one of the Spiritual Directors before making commitments.

 

The Team Coordinator has an opportunity to elaborate more on the Commitment Sheet during the “Group Reunion and Ultreya” talk. At this stage, typically the Spiritual Director will explain the devotion of the commitment sheets.  After the talk, the Spiritual Director spends some time helping the candidates with their commitments.

 

The “Group Reunion and Ultreya” talk typically contains an example of a friendship reunion by a few of the team members as a practical way to illustrate the points being made.

 

The Apostolic Commitment Service (PG. pp. 73‑86), presentation of crucifixes, and Commitment Sheets with the admonition “Christ Is Counting on You” occurs typically at the end of Mass.

 

The Closing

 

The closing is an Ultreya where the new Cursillistas share the Cursillo community experience for the first time as Cursillistas.  The purpose of the “Closing” is not to proclaim to the outside community how great the weekend was.  Rather it is to allow the candidates to see and hear that it is possible to live the Fourth day.

 

On Sunday, the third day of the Cursillo, candidates are typically concerned with two things: “Can I persevere?” and “Can I put into practice all that I have learned?”

 

While the theory has been presented in the talks, especially “Group Reunion and Ultreya,” the practical answer is given at the “Closing” by the presence, witness and support of the outside community. Thus the final lesson of the Cursillo Weekend is taught, as usual, by experience: “Yes, it is possible to persevere in the fourth day.” The talk that provides this final lesson is entitled: “The Cursillista Beyond the Cursillo.”  It should be proclaimed joyfully in the “Closing.”

 

The cursillistas of the greater community will have gathered where the “Closing” is to take place while the participants celebrate the Mass. Those who are waiting to take part in the “Closing” should in no way interfere with the process of the Cursillo or establish contact with the participants before it begins. When Mass is over, the participants, led by the priest and lay leaders, enter and take their places. The Team Coordinator or the Spiritual Director, presides over the affair and begins with the prayer to the Holy Spirit. The format for the “Closing” is as follows:

 

•   Prayer to the Holy Spirit (PG. p. 5).

•   Reports from the representatives of each of the groups.

•   Comments from the participants individually regarding their impression of the Cursillo.

•   A few comments from cursillistas in the audience and/or team members witnessing to their post--cursillo experiences.

•   Final comments by the Spiritual Director and the Team Coordinator.

•   Closing prayer.

 

The participants should not be forced to witness, nor should they all be expected to give witness. They should also be cautioned beforehand not to give any form of public confession or compare the Cursillo to any other form of apostolic work.

 

A guiding question to suggest to them might be, “What have you discovered about yourself, Christ and the Church during the Weekend, and what difference will this make in your life?”

 

The witnesses of the Team Coordinator and the Spiritual Director should be personal and should center on the Movement's objectives in the mission of the Church, which is to evangelize the world. The participants need to be reminded that the perseverance program is a means to help them as living members of the Church.

 

The team usually makes a final chapel visit together after their tasks are completed to give thanks to God.

 

Thus the purpose of Sunday, is to appeal to the candidates hearts to complete the metanoia and live the experience of Christian life more fully when they return to their home communities.  This stage focuses cursillistas on Going out to other people and to the world; Sunday is dedicated to directing cursillistas to their future.