What is Cursillo? A little course in Christianity
The word Cursillo is Spanish for “little course,” and the movement’s full name is Cursillos in Christianity. It began in Mallorca, Spain, in the 1940s and has since spread to dioceses across the United States and around the world. At its heart, Cursillo is a short, intensive course in living the Christian life — an experience designed to help you encounter the love of God in a fresh, personal way and then live that encounter out wherever you already are.
What makes Cursillo distinctive is its goal: not simply a weekend of good feelings, but the lasting transformation of everyday environments — your home, your workplace, your neighborhood, your friendships — for Christ. The movement trusts that ordinary lay Catholics, supported by a community, are exactly the people God uses to bring the Gospel into the ordinary places of the world.
The Cursillo retreat weekend
The Cursillo weekend is a 3-day retreat that typically runs from Thursday evening through Sunday. Men and women usually attend separate weekends. Over those three days you take part in a series of talks given by priests and lay people, daily Mass and the sacraments, time for personal prayer, and small table groups where you discuss what you are hearing and pray together. The rhythm is warm, joyful, and deliberately unhurried, with plenty of singing, laughter, and genuine fellowship.
Most people come to a Cursillo weekend through a sponsor — someone who has already made a Cursillo and invites them. The weekend is not a test or a performance; it is an invitation to step back from daily noise and rediscover the basics of faith, hope, and love. Many describe their Cursillo weekend as a turning point that gave them new friendships and a renewed desire to follow Christ closely.
The Fourth Day: Cursillo community for life
In Cursillo language, every day after your 3-day weekend is your “Fourth Day” — the rest of your life lived as a Christian in the world. This is where Cursillo is unusual among retreats: the weekend is really just the beginning. The Fourth Day is sustained by two simple, powerful practices.
- Group reunion. A small group of friends meets regularly — often weekly — to share their life of piety, study, and action, and to encourage one another to keep growing.
- Ultreya. A larger gathering of the local Cursillo community for prayer, witness, and fellowship. The word ultreya is an old pilgrim’s cry meaning roughly “onward!”
Together, the group reunion and the ultreya keep the grace of the Cursillo weekend alive for years, turning a single retreat into a lifelong community of friendship and mission.
Who Cursillo is for
Cursillo is for ordinary Catholics — not just the highly involved or the visibly devout. Whether your faith feels strong or you are quietly looking for something more, a Cursillo weekend meets you where you are. People come as parents, professionals, students, and retirees, and they leave with a deeper relationship with Christ and a community ready to walk with them. If you have been searching for genuine Catholic friendship and a faith that touches your whole life, Cursillo near you may be exactly what you have been looking for.
How to attend a Cursillo weekend
- 1. Find the local Cursillo community. Cursillo is organized by diocese, so the first step is connecting with the Fourth Day community near you. On Catholic Connect you can find Catholics nearby and discover groups connected to Cursillo.
- 2. Ask to be sponsored. Most weekends are made on the invitation of a sponsor who has already attended. A member of the local community can sponsor you and answer your questions.
- 3. Register for the next weekend. Weekends fill in advance, so once you are sponsored you will sign up for an upcoming date. Keep an eye on local Catholic events for ultreyas and information nights.
- 4. Live your Fourth Day. After the weekend, join a group reunion and the ultreya to stay connected for the long haul.
Find a Cursillo near you on Catholic Connect
The hardest part of attending Cursillo is often simply finding the local community and someone to sponsor you. Catholic Connect makes that easy: search for Catholics and Cursillo members near you, join groups tied to the Fourth Day, and see upcoming events and ultreyas in your area — all in one place.
Cursillo FAQ
What is Cursillo?
Cursillo, Spanish for “little course,” is a Catholic movement built around a 3-day retreat weekend that helps you encounter Christ more deeply, followed by an ongoing Fourth Day community that supports you for life.
How long is a Cursillo weekend?
A Cursillo weekend runs three days, typically from Thursday evening through Sunday, with talks, daily Mass, the sacraments, small-group discussion, and fellowship.
How do I attend a Cursillo weekend?
Most people attend after being sponsored by someone who has already made a Cursillo. Connect with your local community or diocesan secretariat, ask to be sponsored, and they will help you register for the next weekend.
Is there a Cursillo near me?
Cursillo communities operate in dioceses across the U.S. and around the world. Use Catholic Connect to find Catholics and Cursillo members near you who can sponsor you.
Ready to take the next step?
Join Catholic Connect to find a Cursillo near you, meet members of the Fourth Day community, and discover events that keep your faith growing.