A Brief History of Cursillo

Cursillo began in Spain after the Spanish Civil war ended in 1939.  To help restore the spiritual life of their war-ravaged country, young men of Spain began to plan a great National Pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James at Compostella, to rededicate young people to the work of Christian mission.

Due to the Second World War, the pilgrimage did not take place until the summer of 1948, when some 70,000 young people under the leadership of the Pilgrim Scouts of Spain travelled to the shrine of St. James to pray for the re-conversion of Spain.  Meanwhile, a new Bishop, Juan Hervas, arrived in Majorca and it was with his guidance that the 3-day weekend was first held in the Monastery of San Honarata in Majorca in January 1949.  Its chief purpose was to give people the experience that those many young people had on their pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James.

The Movement  spread from Spain throughout the world.  Cursillos are now held throughout the whole world.

Cursillo was introduced into the Anglican (Episcopal) Church in the United States in 1972, and in September 1981 a team from Dallas, Texas, came at their own expense to put on two Cursillo weekends, one in Cymru (North Wales) and one in Gloucester.  As well as the training they gave, these Dioceses were also given financial support and a wealth of experience to guide them.

Since then, Cursillo has grown and is now represented in some 30 Diocese throughout the UK.

Cursillo began in Wakefield Diocese in 1992 when the first 3-day weekend began. 

For an information leaflet click here