History of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement

The Movement of Cursillos de Cristiandad (MCC) is considered a gift of the Holy Spirit for the Church and for the world, a powerful tool for bringing the message of Christ into the most everyday environments. Over more than seven decades, the Cursillo Movement has set hearts aflame, awakened vocations and transformed lives, proclaiming that Christ is alive and that his love is for everyone.

On this journey, the six World Ultreyas were more than simple gatherings; they were like a “living Pentecost”. In them, thousands of cursillistas from all over the world were called by the Holy Spirit to renew their missionary ardour from the charism of the Movement.

Each Ultreya lit torches of faith and hope that illuminated the Church and the world, serving as a call to “move forward, always beyond”.

In all of them, the same conviction that has accompanied the Movement from its earliest days resounded: Christ is alive, he loves each person, and he continues to call men and women to be witnesses of the Gospel in their environments of life.

Rome, 1966: The Initial Fire

The first World Ultreya marked the full international projection of the Movement and confirmed the esteem of the Universal Church for its evangelising charism.

In Rome, Pope Paul VI encouraged cursillistas to be living witnesses of Christ in their environments, describing them as “leaven in the dough”. This event was a milestone that secured for the MCC its place as an evangelising movement, focused on the initial proclamation of the Gospel.

Tlaxcala, 1970: Unity in Mission

The second World Ultreya, held in Tlaxcala, Mexico, brought the fire of the Cursillo to Latin America. This encounter emphasised the importance of unity in the charism of the MCC, overcoming debates and tensions that had arisen. Tlaxcala reminded cursillistas that, despite cultural and geographical differences, they are united in one single spirit: that of bringing Christ to the world.

Historical studies of the MCC often note that this period coincided with the challenges of receiving the Second Vatican Council and with differing interpretations of the method and identity of the Movement.

In other words, in a period marked by the challenges of post-conciliar renewal, Tlaxcala reaffirmed fidelity to the original charism of the MCC and the essential unity of the Movement.

Rome, 2000: Witness in the New Millennium

Theme: “Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever”

Integrated into the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, this Ultreya was a strong impulse for the New Evangelisation proposed by Saint John Paul II.

At the turn of the millennium, the third World Ultreya, in Rome, saw Pope John Paul II encourage cursillistas to face the twenty-first century with courage. With the theme “Christ, yesterday, today and forever”, the encounter was a call to proclaim that the love and truth of Christ are eternal and present. The Movement received the mandate to be a protagonist in the New Evangelisation.

Los Angeles, 2009: United in Diversity

The fourth World Ultreya, held in Los Angeles, highlighted the capacity of the MCC to proclaim the same Christ in profoundly diverse cultural contexts, while keeping the identity of its charism intact.

Pope Benedict XVI emphasised the need to seek the light and strength of the Holy Spirit in order to respond to the challenge of the new evangelisation. The event underlined that the mission of evangelisation remains unchanged despite cultural differences, and that the Cursillo must be a bridge between cultures and a beacon of hope.

MCC documents usually emphasise the universality of the Movement much more than multiculturalism alone.

Fátima, 2017: “It Is Time for Cursillo”

The fifth great world encounter of the Movement took place in Fátima, Portugal, under the protection of the Virgin Mary. On the centenary of her apparitions, cursillistas from all over the world gathered to renew their commitment to Christ. This encounter was a reminder that the mission is not only to proclaim the Gospel, but to do so with the confidence that God guides every step.

Rome, 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

The sixth World Ultreya, held on 6 June 2025 in Rome, was a historic encounter that brought together more than 3,000 cursillistas in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Held in the context of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 and the Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, the Ultreya had as its theme: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way?” (Lk 24:32). The celebration included testimonies from various international groups, reinforcing the values of mission, evangelisation, enthusiasm, passion, future and hope. The event represented a moment of deep communion, faith and mission for all participants.

The World Ultreyas have been a constant invitation for cursillistas not to stop. In a world that so often seems more divided and distant from God, the Movement is called to respond with joy, hope and courage. The cry of “De Colores!” is not merely a celebration, but a proclamation that Christ transforms lives and continues to send disciples into the environments where they live and work. The Ultreyas remind us that this mission remains as necessary today as it was in the earliest days of the Movement.