Upcoming Weekends
Men’s Cursillo Weekend
Dates: 6:00pm, Thursday, September 17 thru Sunday, September 20 2026
Place: Mariawald Retreat House, Shillington, PA
Women’s Cursillo Weekend
Dates: 6:00pm Thursday, September 24 thru Sunday, September 27, 2026
Place: Mariawald Retreat House, Shillington, PA
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Cursillo Weekend?
A Cursillo 3-day weekend, derives its name from the original Spanish title ‘Cursillo de Cristiandad’ which translates to ‘A Short Course in Christianity.’
They are structured to provide an experience whose goal is to enable one to follow Jesus more faithfully and effectively. Starting on Thursday evening until Sunday evening, lay people and clergy live and work together to gain a deep, permanent, living awareness of the treasure and responsibility of their faith. Men and Women attend on separate weekends.
Is It a Retreat?
The Cursillo is a ‘Short Course in Christianity’ where the basic teachings of Christ are presented and discussed in an atmosphere of joy and community. You may make a Cursillo only once in your life, but you are encouraged to build upon it for the rest of your life.
What is the format?
The Cursillo weekend format consists of dally Mass and series of talks and meditations by laymen and clergy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) is available. The weekend is a personal, lively and informative event with talks, discussions, singing, prayer and fellowship.
Who Should Go On A Weekend?
- Baptized, Catholics seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus and His church.
- Those Interested in examining what it means to be a Christian in today’s world.
- Those who live as Catholics, but are not presently involved in the life of the church.
- Those who have slipped away from the Catholic faith, but are open to hear God’s word.
What Happens After the Cursillo Weekend?
The weekend lasts three days; The fourth day is the rest of one’s life, and Cursillistas (those who have made a Cursillo) are urged to make some sort of commitment to God to intensify the growth and deepening of their faith.
The Cursillo weekend neither pretends nor is able to give a complete Catholic formation in just three days. So, additional activities are available to increase their knowledge and keep aflame their enthusiasm.
Cursillistas are encouraged to form or join a small group reunion that can meet often (weekly is ideal!) for mutual support of our life in grace.
Monthly, larger reunions, called Ultreyas, are held regionally through-out the diocese in which Cursillistas meet for fellowship and witness.
What is the Cursillo Movement?
Cursillo in Christianity is a canonically recognized lay movement within the Catholic Church that by its own method seeks to give life to the essential Christian truths, in the uniqueness, originality and creativity of the person. In discovering their potential and accepting their limitations, members will direct their freedom with their conviction, reinforce their will with decisiveness and direct their friendship with the virtue of constancy in their day-to-day life, personally and with others.
In 2015 EWTN broadcast interviews with Cursillo leaders discussing the origins, purpose and goals of the movement.
Vision and Mission
VISION
To facilitate the living and sharing of what is fundamental to being Christian through a discovery of three fundamental encounters: with oneself, with Christ, and with others.
MISSION
To communicate the best news of the best reality: that God, in Jesus Christ, loves us; communicated by the best means which is friendship; and directed towards the best of each one; which is the person; and his capacity of conviction, decision, and constancy.