241 South Main Street North Canton, Ohio 44720
330-499-2201
Contact: Linda Schneider at
The Cursillo Movement - What is it? "The purpose of the Cursillo Movement is to bring about a change in the environments. The Cursillo Movement is a deliberate act to bring Jesus Christ into the world. Cursillistas (those that have gone through the 3 Days and are living the Cursillo method) become agents for change in their families, work situations, neighborhoods, social gatherings, etc. Cursillistas are the port of the Christian community (communal) that links together with others (teamwork) to bring Jesus Christ to the world." Taken from Cursillo literature, "The Cursillo Movement, What Is It?" printed with permission.
In the above description, "the 3 Days" refers to a three-day weekend where participants spend a weekend hearing talks given by clergy and laypersons about various topics related to living the Christian life. These include:Â Holiness, Formation, Evangelization, and a series of talks teaching the Cursillo method of bringing Christ into the environments where individuals live their ordinary lives. There is also opportunity to share ideas with other participants and discuss the presentations in small groups. Men and women make separate weekends.
Cursillo began in Spain after World War II and was brought to the United States in Texas in the early 1960's. It came to Canton, Ohio in the mid-60's and has continued since that time. There have been 110 Cursillos held in Canton, with over 2, 000 people participating in them. It is still an active and needed movement in the Catholic Church because the need for evangelization is as real in today's world as it ever has been or maybe more so! Also, Catholics are taught that is by virtue of our Baptism that we are obliged to evangelize our environments; that is, bring Christ into all the areas of our lives, thus bringing them closer to God's will for them.
In Canton, The Cursillo Center is on the grounds of Central Catholic High School in the former Convent. Meetings for Cursillistas are normally held on Monday evenings at 7:30 pm. These consist of the School of Leaders which teaches more about the Cursillo Movement and its method of evangelization. Ultreyas, which are open to anyone, are held on the first Monday of the month. Ultreyas include an opportunity to share the Christian life with other committed Catholic Christians and to hear a witness given by a layperson stating how he/she has been able to bring their environments closer to what Jesus wants them to be.
