The Purpose of Sponsoring

The purpose of sponsoring is to make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ. Friendship is the essence and foundation of Cursillo! Sponsoring also includes the selection and preparation of those friends who can influence their environments (their moveable square meter) through friendship.

THE GIFT OF SPONSORSHIP

Sponsorship is a profound act of spiritual friendship. It is the humble privilege of walking alongside a candidate, guiding them toward a life-changing encounter with Christ and welcoming them into our vibrant faith community.

BEFORE THE WEEKEND

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.

DURING THE WEEKEND

Support the candidate’s family in their absence and participate in the community’s spiritual support through prayer, Mañanitas, and the Clausura.

AFTER THE WEEKEND

Actively guide the new Cursillista as they integrate into a Group Reunion and become an engaged member of the Ultreya community.

Duties of Sponsor

Pre-Cursillo Duties of the Sponsor

Providing his or her 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 his or her friend about Post Cursillo, the 4th Day, which will help them to persevere in his 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.
In the case of one spouse not attending, it is important to speak to the spouse not attending so that you can be sure they are at peace with their spouse’s decision to attend the weekend. The attending spouse is likely to undergo a change and it is important that surprise at such a transformation does not de-stabilize a marriage.

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!

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 doing palanca for your candidate and invite the family to write palanca and mark the envelope with the day you want your candidate to receive.
Sign up for a one-hour prayer palanca as indicated on the palanca vigil card available at the send off Ultreya.
Participate in the mananitas at 6:00 am, and the closing at 3:00 pm arrival
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.