The Cursillo is a vibrant, worldwide movement within the Catholic Church that has transformed millions of lives since its founding in Spain in the 1940s. More than just a retreat, Cursillo offers a comprehensive method for living the Christian life where your spirituality can be developed, deepened, and joyfully shared with others.
Personal Transformation – Watch as the Holy Spirit works within hearts during times of prayer, reflection, and grace-filled encounters
Sacred Community – Experience how Christ builds lasting bonds between strangers who become brothers and sisters in faith
Living Faith – Discover how God equips His people to carry His light into their everyday circumstances
Ongoing Grace – Join a community where the Spirit continues His work through encouragement, prayer, and mutual support
Spiritual Leadership – See how the Lord raises up witnesses to share His love with courage and joy
Cursillo is a three-day weekend that is fully sanctioned by the Catholic Church and Diocese of Richmond.
The weekends are sponsored by lay Catholics with the assistance of ordained priests and deacons.
Mission: Led by the Holy Spirit, we grow the Body of Christ to be disciples through Piety, Study and Action.
Your Cursillo weekend begins Thursday evening and concludes Sunday afternoon with a celebratory closing Mass. These three days are carefully structured to provide:
Spiritual Formation: Through inspired talks, meaningful discussions, and moments of silent prayer, souls are led deeper into the mysteries of grace, the sacraments, and their unique calling as lay apostles in Christ’s mission.
Community Connection: Around shared tables and in prayer circles, the Lord weaves hearts together in authentic Christian fellowship, creating bonds that reflect the unity He desires for His Church.
Personal Encounter: In an atmosphere of prayer and support, many participants experience a profound personal encounter with Christ that renews and energizes their faith.
Practical Tools: The Holy Spirit provides concrete guidance for maintaining spiritual growth and bringing Christ’s light into families, workplaces, and communities.
Sunday afternoon is not an ending but a beginning. The “Fourth Day” represents the rest of life, lived in the grace and wisdom received during these sacred days. Participants are blessed to continue their journey through:
Weekend Cost: $100
Hear from Local Leaders: Watch the video above featuring Greater Hampton Roads Cursillo Lay Directors Debbie and Lisa, who share their personal insights about the Cursillo experience and its impact on our local community.
Just $100 for the entire three-day experience, including all meals, materials, and accommodations.
This modest offering reflects the movement’s heart—that God’s transforming grace should be accessible to all His children, regardless of their financial circumstances. It is a testament to how the Lord provides through the generosity of His people.
Explore the National Movement: Visit the National Cursillo USA website for comprehensive information about Cursillo’s history, spirituality, and impact.
Women’s Weekends:
March 26-29
September 24-27
Men’s Weekends:
June 25-28
All weekend retreats are held at the St. Clare of Assisi Retreat Center in Hampton, VA.
If your heart is stirring with desire for deeper communion with Christ, meaningful community with fellow believers, and practical guidance for living your faith more fully, perhaps the Holy Spirit is inviting you to something transformative. A Cursillo weekend retreat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that could change not only your own life but ripple outward to touch the lives of others.
Ready to begin? Download the application form and take the first step in this sacred journey.
If you have questions about the application process or need assistance finding a sponsor or obtaining the necessary signatures, we’re here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Pre-Cursillo Director, Deborah Reaves, who will gladly guide you through each step of the journey.
We warmly encourage you to consider joining us for this extraordinary opportunity to encounter Christ in new and meaningful ways, build lasting friendships, and discover how God is calling you to serve in your daily life.
Within the Cursillo movement, the concept of being “in colors” represents living in divine grace. This is why members of the movement (known as cursillistas) use the greeting “De Colores” (meaning “in colors”) when they meet.
An origin story from the movement’s early period in Spain describes how a group of men’s bus broke down while they were traveling home from a Cursillo retreat. To pass the time, they started singing “De Colores,” a well-known Spanish folk tune. This spontaneous use of the song became integral to Cursillo tradition and has remained significant as the movement expanded beyond Spanish-speaking communities and into various Christian denominations. The colorful rooster that serves as a Cursillo symbol is thought to derive from lyrics within that same traditional song.
Ultreya, meaning “onward” in Spanish, represents the joyful gathering of the Cursillo community where faith comes alive through shared witness and communal prayer. These regular meetings bring together all Cursillo Group Reunions in our area, creating a vibrant tapestry of Christian fellowship and mutual encouragement.
Whether you’re a seasoned Cursillista or simply curious about this vibrant faith community, Ultreya welcomes you to experience the joy of Christian fellowship and witness. Come discover how God is working in the lives of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for His kingdom.
Need help finding or starting a Small Group? The 4th Day Small Group is the best way to keep your Cursillo experience alive and growing.
The GHR Post Cursillo Committee offers a “Traveling Small Group” that can come to you.
Contact us to get started:
John Birckbichler: jwab60@gmail.com
Ron Adamo: ron.adamo@verizon.net
Already made your Cursillo weekend? Consider joining a formation team or being a volunteer!
The School of Leaders stands as the beating heart of the Cursillo Movement, serving as an essential community for those called to shepherd and guide this transformative ministry. Far more than just administrative meetings, the School provides vital formation, ongoing support, and spiritual encouragement for Cursillo leaders as they serve Christ and His Church.
Purpose and Mission
As noted by Fr. Frank Salmani, “The School of Leaders forms and develops Cursillo leaders in the mentality of the Movement and offers a Christian community for support.” This specialized formation community serves several critical functions:
Spiritual Formation: Leaders grow deeper in their commitment to Christ and understanding of the Church’s mission through structured formation programs and shared prayer.
Leadership Development: Participants develop the skills, knowledge, and spiritual maturity necessary to guide others in their faith journey and effectively serve the Cursillo Movement.
Community Support: In the demanding work of Christian leadership, the School provides encouragement, accountability, and fellowship among those who share similar callings and challenges.
Progressive Conversion: Regular gatherings sustain the ongoing spiritual transformation of leaders, ensuring they continue growing in holiness and effectiveness.
A Focused Community
The School of Leaders maintains its distinct identity and purpose by serving specifically those called to leadership roles within Cursillo. While Ultreya welcomes all Cursillistas for general fellowship and sharing, the School of Leaders provides specialized formation for those who guide the Movement’s mission.
This focused approach ensures that:
Upcoming meeting dates to be announced.
Looking for a retreat experience?
Explore our list of scheduled retreats.
