Cursillo, a “Little Course in Christianity,” is a Lay Catholic movement of friends helping friends grow in Christ and live out shared Christian values in today’s challenging world. Founded in the 1940s on Mallorca, Spain, it has spread worldwide and is active in every US state. Its message is simple yet profound: God, in Christ, loves us deeply just as we are. Through Cursillo, individuals experience ongoing conversion that transforms their families, friends, communities, and workplaces. Cursillistas are called to bring Christ wherever they go.  Join the Cursillo community in the Arlington Diocese!

• • When Saint Pope John XXIII called for Vatican Council II to be held, Cursillo had already spread through five continents. The windows and doors were already open and the Holy Spirit was working. By the time the Vatican Council II implementations were beginning, the Cursillo Movement had stretched from Mallorca, Spain, to 20 countries in five continents.
  • Pope Paul VI was the first Pope to give his blessings on the Cursillo Movement.  “Cursillos in Christianity!  Christ, the Church, the Pope, are counting on you!” (Pope Paul VI, First World Ultreya, Rome, May 28, 1966)  “I am therefore delighted to join in your thanksgiving to the Lord for all He has done and never ceases to do in the Church through the Cursillo de Cristiandad.”  “This method of Christian teaching commonly called Cursillos in Christianity extends already over a great number of the faithful and has produced abundant fruit: Christian renewal of the family life; vitalization of parishes; faithful observance of duties in private as well as public life. All this has filled with the greatest satisfaction the Bishops and the other shepherds of souls.“
  • Saint Pope John Paul II also recognized the valuable gift of Cursillo: “…the Cursillo method aims at helping to transform in a Christian way the milieus where people live and work through the involvement of ‘new men and women’ who have become such from their encounter with Christ. This is the goal of a three-day ‘little course’ on Christianity, in which a team of priests and lay people, supported by the prayer and sacrifices of the movement’s other members, communicate the fundamental truths of the Christian faith in an especially ‘living’ way.“
  • Pope Benedict XVI: The Holy Father sends cordial greetings and good wishes to all assembled in Anaheim, California for the Fourth World Ultreya of Cursillo de Cristiandad.  He joins Cursillistas from throughout the world in giving thanks to God for all that the Movement has done to enrich the lives of the faithful, stirring in them the fire of love which becomes the energy of mission.
  • Pope Francis: “Cursillistas are called to build on the charism the Lord has intrusted to us.“—”Step out of their comfort zone and have the courage to reach all the suburbs that need the light of the Gospel.“—”We give thanks to God for all the fruits that the Cursillo in Christianity Movement has generously given the Church.” June 13, 2011—”The little seed sown in Spain more than 50 years ago has become a great tree rich in fruits of the Spirit.” May 6, 2002—”Cursillo is an instrument raised up by God for the proclamation of the Gospel in our time.“