PRE CURSILLO | Ottawa Catholic Cursillo Movement

UNDERSTANDING THE PRE-CURSILLO

The sponsor needs to understand that making friends and preparing a friend for the Three Day Cursillo and Post-Cursillo is part of the Pre-Cursillo.

Every apostolic plan, and therefore, everything in the work of Cursillo, must be: Prayed For and Planned.

The Pre-Cursillo (Sponsoring) Requires Prayer
The first step is to place the Pre-Cursillo, the candidates, and our apostolic action in the hands of the Lord. Prayer must prevail over all the activities of the Pre-Cursillo. The sponsor must solicit prayers from his or her Group Reunion, the Ultreya, and other Cursillo leaders.
The Pre-Cursillo (Sponsoring) Requires Planning
Experience tells us that in 3-4 months, there is enough time for personal contact with the potential candidate. This way, when the Three-Day Cursillo approaches, all the candidates have had one or more meetings with his or her sponsor.

SPONSOR GUIDELINES

The sponsor should know the applicant well enough to act responsibly in recommending Cursillo to them.
An adult Catholic (18+) who is emotionally mature to understand the message (ages 16 – 24 see Ottawa Challenge Movement)
The sponsor should be sensitive to the candidate’s emotional makeup. Because of the close community life of the three-day experience, someone who is known to have difficulty in emotional or stressful situations or with interpersonal relationships might find the weekend too trying an experience. Examples including those undergoing marital separation, a recent loss of a loved one, or severe depression should be considered at a future time, when they would be less encumbered emotionally.
Since this is a Catholic weekend, ideally, the candidate should also be a baptized Catholic. The Cursillo experience is to deepen one’s understanding of the Catholic faith and one’s personal relationship with Jesus. Mass will be offered, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available, and other Catholic faith traditions will be practiced.

DUTIES OF SPONSOR

Pre-Cursillo Duties of the Sponsor

Providing their friend with the necessary information about the Three Day Cursillo.
We must move away from the mindset that we will spoil a candidate’s Cursillo experience if we tell them about it.
Informing their friend about Post Cursillo support which will help them to persevere in their conversion process and motivate them to live what is fundamental to being Christian in their environments.
In some cases, it may be practical to take the candidate to an Ultreya
Married Couples: In the case where both, husband and wife, are eligible and both agree to attend a Three Day Cursillo, then both should be prepared.

Cursillo Weekend Duties of the Sponsor

A sponsor/co-sponsor is to provide the candidate with transportation to and from the weekend.
The candidate should not drive to the Cursillo House on their own.
At the same time, the sponsor/co-sponsor is to accompany the candidate into the weekend facility and help make the candidate feel comfortable.
Sponsor/co-sponsor continue praying for your candidate.
Sign up for a one-hour prayer as indicated on the vigil card available at the send off Ultreya.
The sponsor/co-sponsor is to be available to the candidate’s family during the three days of Cursillo. The goal is for the candidate to stay focused on their weekend and not be concerned what is happening at home.

Post Cursillo Duties of the Sponsor

The sponsor will assist the candidate in attending the Post Cursillo, Grand Ultreya and offer to help finding or forming a Group Reunion (4th Day or Friendship Group).
The 4th Day Group and Ultreya are keys to persevering and keeping the fire with Christ and the Community alive, which began on the Three Days.
Encourage your candidate to continue his/her education through School of Leaders
Keep in close contact with your candidate and encourage them to persevere in their 4th day.

The Cursillo Movement uses the unique method of friendship to help people discover that God loves them and to bring them into a relationship with self, Christ, and others in three days. Inviting a person to the Three Day Cursillo should not depend on our desire but the will and the freedom of the person.

Sponsoring should be considered an opportunity, not an obligation! Christ is counting on you!