Return to CURSILLO  Home Page

Purpose of Cursillo
    The Cursillo Movement is an instrument of the Catholic Church for the revitalization of Christian life.  Its purpose is to train men and women of faith to be effective apostles of Jesus Christ, willing to try to re-Christianize and revitalize the environments in which they live.  As a sponsor, we need your cooperation and help in selecting candidates who, in your judgment, will persevere in this Spiritual Lifestyle and will work in their homes, parishes, offices, or wherever they are "at" to lead others to Christ.
    Pray about your decision to approach a friend and ask for prayers and advice from members of your group reunion.
    Please consult the candidate's pastor concerning the candidate prior to completing their application.

Criteria for Recommending Candidates
    Mature, stable people make the best candidates for the Cursillo Movement.  They should be at least 21 years of age.  However, if you know of a particular younger candidate whom you wish to invite, please consult with the Diocesan Spiritual Director with all pertinent information before contacting the candidate.
    The candidate must be a Catholic and must be able to receive the sacraments.  They should possess Christian attitudes and attributes upon which the Cursillo can build.  The applicant's life style may not be even nominally Christian at present, but there should be some Christian training on which the Cursillo can take root.
    Resist the temptation to bring your problem cases.  Cursillo is not a reform school.  Although it may bring someone who does not believe in God back to the Church, or cool someone down that is angry with God; it could also backfire and ruin the whole weekend for everyone if they have to spend endless hours defending the basic truths.  Cursillo presupposes that the candidates have a solid faith upon which can be built a deeper commitment to God through service to our fellowman.
    Approach married persons as a couple and recruit both at the same time.  Tell them that the husband will attend first and the wife will follow.  It is a good time to tell them of the many practical applications the Cursillo Experience has had in your life.  In the case of a mixed religion marriage, then only the Catholic party may be  able to attend the Cursillo.  In such case, the non-Catholic party should be informed that their spouse may change drastically in attitudes and values.  If the wife is the Catholic in the mixed religion family, then the rule of husband makes the Cursillo first is waived.

Responsibilities Associated With Sponsoring A Candidate
    The only requirement for candidates is that they be Roman Catholic and able to receive the Sacraments of the Church.  Sponsors should also consider candidates for strength of character, maturity, an open mind, an ability to listen, friendship, and willingness to change. Candidates should be emotionally healthy and seeking a deeper spiritual life.  The Cursillo Weekend is not designed to be a cure-all for those experiencing personal problems.

    Prayer is an important part of sponsorship and sponsors should pray for candidates before, during and after the Cursillo Weekend. Sponsors are also expected to:

1)  Explain the Cursillo Weekend:

• Always confer with the prospective candidate’s pastor prior to inviting the person to live the Three Day Weekend.  This is important because the pastor might know of some reason that a person should not participate in the Weekend, and once an invitation has been extended, it is very awkward to un-invite the person.
• Answer ALL questions that your candidate might have.  You cannot tell him/her too much.
• Explain what the facility will be like (sleeping arrangements, etc.).
• Explain that dress for the Weekend is casual, with many people dressing up more on Sunday.

• Go over the application form with your candidate. Ask him or her to fill out the Applicant section, sign it, and return it to you.  Make sure the candidate understands that the information will be kept confidential.
• Ask the candidate’s pastor to complete the Pastor section of the application, including his signature. Be prepared to explain the Cursillo Weekend to priests not familiar with Cursillo.
• Complete the Sponsor section of the application, sign it and attach the $10 registration fee1.  Return the form and fee to the Diocesan Lay Director.  Please do not turn in an incomplete form to “hold a spot.” Incomplete forms will be returned to the sponsor.

• Make sure he or she has transportation to and from where the Cursillo will be celebrated. If you cannot transport the candidate yourself, try to pair him or her up with another candidate.  Please make every effort to make sure the candidate has another person to ride with.
• Try to ease any fears or anxiety that the candidate might have before, especially the week before, the Weekend.
• Make certain that a candidate’s family is informed and knows the candidate will return Sunday evening. You may want to contact the candidate’s family during the Weekend as well.

• Do Palanca for your candidate; also, you need to write a sponsor letter and send it to the Lay Director prior to the beginning of the Weekend.
• Attend the Sunday Closing. Remember that your candidate will be looking for you at the Closing. If you cannot make the Closing, you might consider finding someone else to sponsor your candidate, or at least designate someone to support the candidate Sunday evening.

• Bring your candidate to your next Ultreya.
• Remind him or her to attend the next Closing.
• Assist and make sure he or she finds a Group Reunion.

    Your commitment to your candidate does not end when he or she completes the application, or even after the Cursillo Weekend. It is your responsibility to make sure your candidate feels welcomed at all Cursillo activities and is supported in his or her apostolic endeavors for at least a year.