Cursillo is a way of bringing Christians together and equipping them more fully, sensitively and creatively for their life with Christ in the world.

It all began in the 1940s in Majorca. This Spanish word means a short course – course in the sense of an athletes’ track. Groups of young Christian men started meeting together for fellowship, going on to arrange weekends where Christians could be built up in their faith. And from these small beginnings Cursillo has now spread massively to other countries and denominations.

A Cursillo weekend follows a set structure: Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon. Over the three days the participants are encouraged to look closely at their faith through a series of talks.

Clergy and laity, each adding their own experience in a set framework, deliver the talks. Participants are given the opportunity to discuss what they have heard and respond in various creative ways. Prayer covers the whole weekend and beyond. There is a 24/7 vigil round the world of people praying for the participants and staff on the weekend.

On the Sunday after lunch the final talk of the day, given by the Lay Rector, outlines what happens next. The weekend is a beginning, not an end in itself. Next comes the “Fourth Day” – the rest of our lives, with many many opportunities to serve God and put our faith into practice. Not forgetting the importance of meeting together – in small groups locally and then in joyful celebrations at diocesan level and a yearly national coming together.

Cursillo might not be for you, but perhaps it is for someone you know! Perhaps it is worth investigating anyway. It is supported by many clergy, our archbishop and bishops, and also by the Archbishop of York.