Worship, prayer, study, fellowship
Cursillo in the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi from two perspectives
Cursillo is a three-day retreat tracing its roots to Spain in the early 20th century, with the first official Cursillo weekend taking place in 1943. Rooted in a deep desire to share the love of Christ, Cursillo calls Christians to live their faith more fully in the ordinary moments of everyday life. At its heart, Cursillo is about relationship with Christ and with each other. The movement has a long and devoted following in Mississippi. In this issue, two Cursillistas (as insiders call them), share their perspectives on what makes the experience so meaningful.
The Pilgrim’s Perspective
by Danny Blanton
My experience with Cursillo has been one of the most meaningful and transformative aspects of my spiritual journey. Cursillo provided me with an opportunity to step away from the distractions and demands of everyday life and focus intentionally on my relationship with God. Through worship, prayer, study, and fellowship, I gained a deeper understanding of God’s grace and a renewed appreciation for the Episcopal tradition. The weekend experience challenged me to examine my faith more closely and encouraged me to live out my baptismal covenant with greater purpose and commitment.
What made Cursillo especially meaningful was the sense of Christian community that developed among participants and staff. I was surrounded by people who shared their faith journeys with honesty, vulnerability, and encouragement. The friendships formed through Cursillo have continued beyond the weekend itself, providing a network of support, accountability, and prayer. These relationships have reminded me that the Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation, but in community with others who seek to follow Christ faithfully.
The impact of Cursillo continues to shape my daily life. It strengthened my commitment to prayer, worship, and service, while helping me recognize the many ways God is at work in my life and in the lives of those around me. Cursillo renewed my sense of vocation as a disciple and inspired me to share Christ’s love more intentionally through my actions, relationships, and ministry. It remains a powerful reminder that faith is not simply something we believe, but something we are called to live each day.
Danny Blanton
St. Philip’s, Jackson
The Cha-Cha’s Challenge
by Kathy Shoalmire
It was by extraordinary circumstances that I ended up as an assistant Cha-Cha for Cursillo 140. We had someone from our congregation at Nativity who wanted to go. She has low vision, and we felt that it would be safer if she had someone designated to walk with her to get her acclimated to the “bumps in the sidewalk”. The song Here I Am, Lord by Dan Schutte kept playing in my head: I will go, Lord, if You lead me, I will hold Your people in my heart. I volunteered to go with her. It was decided that I would serve as an assistant Cha-Cha to help where needed. I found the experience to be enriching.
Serving others is not without costs, both in terms of financial commitment and time commitment. Before going, my worried mind was focused on the expense of driving to two workshops, the cost of attending, paying for four days of pet care, and, of course, the amount of time that would be required was not insignificant. What I learned was how personal sacrifice can provide spiritual enrichment. That sacrifice can affect one’s appreciation for what one has and what it means to have a servant’s heart.
It only took the first workshop to shift my focus from what I was sacrificing to what I was receiving and what God had called me to do. It was a calling for me because I had not originally filled out a staff application, but God opens doors. When he does, the blessings he bestows on you are far greater than your sacrifices. Watching the pilgrims’ transition was a reminder of how my life was transformed by Cursillo. Listening to Rollos deepened my spiritual life once again. However, perhaps the greatest blessing I received was expanding my community to include more people from other parishes. I have lived most of my life serving my local church and pretty much ignoring what went on in the Diocese of Mississippi. Having a larger community to call my brothers and sisters has definitely enriched my life. I hope to go back for Cursillo 141. I will still worry about the things I worry about, but faith will show me that it’s more than okay. God will lead me through my own “bumps in the sidewalk”.
Kathy Shoalmire
Nativity, Water Valley