The Tribune

By RODNEY WILLIAMS

The Cursillo movement has as its goal to share with the community the essence of Christianity and Christian values, and in this way gradually transform the community from within. This is the natural extension of the life-changing experience of the Cursillo weekend and is wholly dependent on the example and energy of individual Cursillistas and their desire to work together.

In the words of Pope John Paul II: "Here is your role in the Church: to create clusters of believers who will carry the message of salvation everywhere, showing the seriousness of your opinion not by imposing it, but by a strong testimony."

To become catalysts in the evangelisation of society; to convey its objective, the Cursillo movement uses the expression "leavening society with the gospel".

The expression comes from Jesus's parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through." (Matthew xiii, 33)

Leaven is a substance added to dough to produce fermentation. By its inner reaction, it makes the gas that blows the bubbles in the bread and makes it rise.

And such should be the transforming influence of Cursillistas. By their lives and commitment, they are the catalysts who can transform communities

Personal conversion

The Cursillo ministry invites Christians to build a world, founded on the rock of love and friendship. But evangelisation has to come from within, based on the strength and energy of personal conversion

Given this emphasis on the importance of personal conversion, it is therefore necessary that Cursillistas experience first hand what lies at the heart of Christianity, that is, the reality of God's love for us.

This experience begins at the Cursillo weekend in a profound and personal way. Subsequently, group meetings help to take this experience to another, deeper level which is life in a Christian community.

In light of the preceding, therefore, the Cursillo ministry defines itself as follows: "The Cursillo ministry is a movement within the Church which offers the essential individual and group experiences which are the basis of Christian life. The ultimate goal of these experiences is to help Christians discover and put into practice their personal callings, and working with others, to become catalysts in the evangelisation of society as a whole."

What goes on during the weekend?

It is not easy to describe what goes on during the three days of the Cursillo.

This is not a simple way out, but rather, is based on an understanding that the printed word is often a poor medium to communicate experience.

For example, a stained-glass window seen from outside appears dull and lacklustre. From the inside, however, the impression is entirely different, and the beauty which was not apparent from outside now fills our senses. We can attempt to describe what we see and feel, but this second-hand experience is very far from the real thing.

This is somewhat akin to the Cursillo experience which can be described but which must be lived to be appreciated..

There is more, much more. The Cursillo experience is fundamentally mysterious because it deals with the most fundamental of all mysteries, which is God.

Each of us sees the Cursillo through individual eyes and experiences it through the different lenses of our life experiences. Through these filters God's grace makes its own, unique and inexplicable way to our hearts

Finally, there is a much more mundane reason for not wishing to divulge the entire contents of the weekend. There are a few surprises along the way - pleasant surprises, which bring joy and spontaneity to the experience.

Having said that, a brief outline of the weekend (as seen from the outside of the stained glass window) is in order.

The weekend starts on a Thursday night and ends on Sunday night. During these three days a short course (Cursillo) is given on the fundamental aspects of Christianity and the Christian way of life. This 'course' is not of an academic nature. It is composed of real-life experiences, given mostly by lay persons, which become the basis for small group discussions. It is more of a course run during an athletic meet.

These testimonies and exchanges are intermingled with songs, laughter, breaks and moments of prayer. The atmosphere is one of warmth, fraternity and respect and before we know it, it is over.

It is not uncommon to see people arrive on Thursday night, dragging their feet, worried about what will happen and wondering why they are there. If their hearts are open, just slightly ajar, they leave after the weekend, having experienced the mystery that is God and with a different outlook on life.

Is there something after the weekend?

This is an important question. If the ultimate goal is for Christians to become living proof of God's love and catalysts for societal change, it is evident that this cannot happen in three days. The Cursillo weekend represents the first, essential step along the way. The key is what happens after the weekend during the post-Cursillo period known as the fourth day.

During the three days of the Cursillo, the Cursillistas discover that the essence of our faith and our lives is contained in the light of God that shines in our hearts.

They leave the Cursillo with the desire to live their lives illuminated by this light and to transform this light into a beacon of love which will consume their entire lives and will light the way to God for others

But we do not live our lives in an unending Cursillo weekend. We live our lives one day at a time and every day we must renew our acceptance of Christ's invitation to "come and see the goodness of God." It is only then that we can confidently respond to His command to "go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News".

The Cursillo ministry recognises that the revelations and the enthusiasm of the weekend need to be nurtured and deepened so that the individual and the community gain maximum benefit. It is for these reasons that the Cursillo ministry proposes two types of regular meetings: the group reunion and the ultreya.

• To be continued...