Sponsoring Cursillo

Sponsors and Sponsoring

Canadian Anglican Cursillo Movement

Sponsoring and Sponsorship

Sponsoring is preceded by the process of selecting environments which have potential for changing society, discovering key persons or leaders within those environments, and preparing those people for whom the Cursillo movement may be of assistance in their daily Christian lives.

Candidate Selection – a process sometimes referred to as: ‘studying an environment’ to be targeted, then making friends in that environment, praying about one of these friends, then if called to do so, inviting this friend (together with spouse, if married) to a Cursillo Weekend.

Candidate Support – prayerful and practical assistance, while the candidate is preparing to attend the Weekend, during the Weekend, and after the Weekend.

Candidates – sponsored people attending, or preparing to attend the Three Day Weekend.

Cursillo is one of a number of renewal movements active in the ministry of the Church. Cursillo seeks to change environments, one at a time, by finding, developing, and equipping leaders in those places where we live, work, worship, and socialize. Cursillo seeks to equip these leaders where they are, not to transplant them into some other environments. To change environments means to make them Christ-centered, to bring Christ to them.

Cursillo movement is a method – a method of living a life in Christ – a method of supporting and encouraging each other through prayer, and in planned individual and joint action in order to change the world for Christ. It is essential to remember that Cursillo is a movement whose primary foundation is the grace of God. Cursillo’s most characteristic mark is “Palanca” that is, prayer, sacrifice, and works of mercy.

Perhaps one of the MOST IMPORTANT things to understand about Cursillo is the sponsoring of Candidates. In the Cursillo movement, we must choose people after due thought and prayer have been given to the key environments in which they live. Potential candidates should be well known by the sponsor, and should not be isolated in their environments.

“BEFORE SPEAKING TO A PERSON ABOUT GOD

WE SHOULD SPEAK TO GOD ABOUT THAT PERSON.”

Who are these potential candidates? They are men and women who love Christ, are maturing in their Christian lives, and influence their environments. They are interested in spiritual growth and open to the challenge of the Cursillo method. They have sable personalities, and are baptized. For married couples, it is desirable that both partners attend a Cursillo weekend.

Some people should probably NOT become involved at particular times in their lives. These include those who do not match the description above. Others who should wait to become involved are those who have serious health or addiction problems, who have recently gone through a crisis that would prevent them from concentrating on the message of the weekend, or do not regard themselves as Christian believers.

Great care is needed in sponsoring. Some Cursillistas tend to believe that Cursillo is the answer for everyone. While it is true that everyone has the right to come to a full Christian life, Cursillo may not be the best means for every person. The Cursillo method has specific demands and requires concrete conditions for its effectiveness. It is not necessary or desirable for every Christian to follow the same path. The most appropriate persons are those who are able to understand the truth of the Gospel, wish to do so, and are able to help others understand it.

A potential Candidate must be told: Something about the talks and about the dynamics of the weekend. Any surprise elements need not be mentioned and the person will probably not ask about them. There are no secrets if they ask.) The nature and importance of the Fourth Day, and support available in the Fourth Day (Group Reunions, Ultreyas) should also be conveyed.

The sponsor must arrange Palanca – support letters from family and friends should be picked up by the sponsor. Take the candidate to the Weekend. Attend the closing and bring the spouse if the spouse has already made a weekend. Arrange for the candidate to return home. Help the new Cursillista become part of a Group Reunion and accompany the new person to an Ultreya.

Abstracted & Reproduced with permission: Canadian Anglican Cursillo Secretariat, October 1999