What is a Cursillo weekend?
Anglican Cursillo weekends are open to adult, communicant members of the Church of England or other Anglican churches. People are generally introduced to Cursillo through a three day course/weekend.
What happens at a Three Day Weekend?
The weekends begin usually on a Thursday evening, ending the following Sunday afternoon. During the weekend a team of lay people and spiritual advisers give a series of 15 talks covering the basics of Christianity focusing on the mission concepts of prayer, study and action. Pilgrims and the Staff Team form a Christian community lovingly enfolded in prayer throughout the weekend - a community learning, praying, talking, sharing, singing, eating, living and laughing together.
There is a daily Eucharist, morning and evening prayer and time for silent reflection, though Cursillo is not a conventional retreat.
What happens after the Three Day Weekend?
After the three day weekend the new cursillistas go into the Fourth Day, which is where we continue our Christian journey together. They are encouraged to join small Group Reunions which meet regularly. The meetings last from half an hour to an hour during which members, following a set pattern, will be invited to share what they have learnt about God since they last met, moments in which they have felt close to Christ and ways in which they have attempted to infuse the community of which they are a part with Christian values. All are invited to share encouragements and disappointments, and to discuss any action they propose to take in the furtherance of the Gospel. This underscores and supports apostolic action, providing a structure for a lifetime's experience of Christian love and service.
Courses/weekends in 2021 being held jointly with London Cursillo
What happens at a Three Day Weekend?
The weekends begin usually on a Thursday evening, ending the following Sunday afternoon. During the weekend a team of lay people and spiritual advisers give a series of 15 talks covering the basics of Christianity focusing on the mission concepts of prayer, study and action. Pilgrims and the Staff Team form a Christian community lovingly enfolded in prayer throughout the weekend - a community learning, praying, talking, sharing, singing, eating, living and laughing together.
There is a daily Eucharist, morning and evening prayer and time for silent reflection, though Cursillo is not a conventional retreat.
What happens after the Three Day Weekend?
After the three day weekend the new cursillistas go into the Fourth Day, which is where we continue our Christian journey together. They are encouraged to join small Group Reunions which meet regularly. The meetings last from half an hour to an hour during which members, following a set pattern, will be invited to share what they have learnt about God since they last met, moments in which they have felt close to Christ and ways in which they have attempted to infuse the community of which they are a part with Christian values. All are invited to share encouragements and disappointments, and to discuss any action they propose to take in the furtherance of the Gospel. This underscores and supports apostolic action, providing a structure for a lifetime's experience of Christian love and service.
Courses/weekends in 2021 being held jointly with London Cursillo
- 6-9 May 2021 – London/St Albans Joint Cursillo Weekend at Felden Lodge (See London Cursillo website for application/booking details).
- 7-10 October 2021 – St Albans/London Joint Cursillo Weekend at Felden Lodge. Bookings for this weekend are now open. Please speak to an existing Cursillista or the Lay Director if you would like to book a place.
