History of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement

The National Ultreyas of the Movement of Cursillos de Cristiandad (MCC) are an expression of the vitality of the cursillista charism in the various countries of Europe. More than events, they are encounters of communion and witness, where thousands of cursillistas celebrate the faith they share and renew their evangelising commitment in their environments.

Portugal: Fátima, Heart of Faith

Portugal, the first country outside Spain to receive the MCC, held its first National Ultreya in Fátima as early as the 1960s. Since then, the Marian Shrine has become the setting for countless cursillista gatherings, culminating in events with thousands of participants. In Fátima, the Portuguese MCC celebrated not only its history, but also its deeply ecclesial identity, rooted in prayer, friendship and mission. The spiritual atmosphere of the place strengthened the mystique of the “fourth day” and the desire to live an authentic Christian life.

Italy: Encounters with Bonnín

In Italy, where the MCC has been present since 1963, the national ultreyas acquired a singular strength. Between 1981 and 2008, Eduardo Bonnín, founder of the movement, personally took part in several Italian ultreyas, encouraging the faithful with his simplicity and spiritual depth. These ultreyas became privileged occasions for the formation of leaders and for the renewal of commitment to the environments, leading many to rediscover the Christian essential in everyday life.

Spain: The Mystique of the Origins

In the homeland of the MCC, the national ultreyas keep alive the flame of the origin. From north to south, thousands of Spanish cursillistas gather regularly to witness to the joy of faith and to share transforming experiences. The dioceses of Mallorca, Barcelona, Madrid and many others promote events with a profound evangelising impact, keeping alight the flame of the kerygma that gave rise to the first cursillo in 1949.

France: A Hopeful Reflowering

After a timid beginning in the 1960s and a period of silence, the MCC was reborn in France in the 1990s, thanks to the Vietnamese Catholic community and the support of French-speaking cursillistas from Canada. Recent national ultreyas, such as those held in Paris and Lyon, now bring together cursillistas from various cultures and languages, in a spirit of unity and fidelity to the Church. They are signs of a faith that re-emerges even in secularised contexts, driven by joyful and persevering witness.

Europe: Continental Ultreyas

The national ultreyas also contributed to the emergence of the European Ultreyas. The first was held in Seville in 1993, the second in Fátima in 2005, and the third in Rome in 2015, bringing together cursillistas from all over Europe in a true continental celebration of faith. The Fátima Ultreya gathered around 9,000 participants from 18 countries. In the 2015 edition, Pope Francis encouraged the MCC to remain open, missionary and welcoming, reminding everyone that “the Church is a mother with an open heart”.

Ultreya Is Mission

The National Ultreyas, whether at diocesan or national level, are privileged places for relaunching the mission of the MCC. In them, cursillistas rediscover the meaning of the “fourth day”, share experiences of perseverance, and rekindle the awareness that Christ counts on each one of them to bring the Gospel into their environments. Ultreya is not merely celebration — it is impulse, sending forth and commitment.

The National Ultreyas continue to be spaces of grace, formation and Christian friendship. As Eduardo Bonnín used to say, “Christ is counting on you, and so am I”. This certainty is what moves thousands of cursillistas in every country of Europe to keep going forward with joy and courage, towards the horizon of holiness lived in everyday life.