History of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement

The small seed sown in Mallorca in 1949 germinated in fertile soil and bore fruit in every part of the world. The Movement of Cursillos de Cristiandad (MCC), begun by lay people inspired by the Holy Spirit, became one of the greatest instruments of evangelisation in the Church during the twentieth century, reaching all five continents with the same joy of “De Colores”.

A Missionary Expansion

After crossing the sea towards Latin America in 1953, beginning with Colombia, the MCC spread rapidly. In less than ten years, it had reached practically every country in South and Central America, as well as the United States and Canada. In the 1960s, it extended to Europe, Asia, Oceania and, later, Africa. In each country, it was welcomed with enthusiasm, adapting to local realities without losing the essence of its charism.

Each Continent, A Witness

In Latin America, the MCC flourished with particular strength. In Brazil, the first cursillo took place in 1962. In Mexico, the movement had already acquired a national dimension by 1961. In the United States, cursillistas played a decisive role in the evangelisation of Hispanics and in the emergence of similar movements within Protestant circles, such as “Tres Días” and “Walk to Emmaus”.

In Europe, it quickly became established: Portugal, Italy, Germany, Ireland, France and many other countries welcomed the movement and promoted ultreyas, experiential schools and national secretariats. In Asia, it began in the Philippines and expanded to Korea, Vietnam, India and other nations. In Oceania, it reached Australia with Spanish migrants. And in Africa, although with a smaller presence, it took root in Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa and other countries, with the support of missionaries and international secretariats.

OMCC: Unity in Diversity

The creation of the World Organisation of Cursillos de Cristiandad (OMCC) made it possible to articulate this worldwide presence in communion and fidelity to the original charism. Today, the OMCC is structured into continental groups — Europe, Latin America, North America/Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific — and holds periodic gatherings, such as World Ultreyas and World Encounters of Leaders.

Millions of Witnesses

It is estimated that more than 10 million people have already made a cursillo throughout the world. They are men and women who, touched by the experience of a transforming weekend, decided to live and bear witness to the faith in their environments. Many of them became pastoral leaders, catechists, priests, religious and missionaries. Others transformed their families, their workplaces and their communities.

“Christ Is Counting on You… and So Am I!”

Today, the MCC continues to flourish like a seed that germinates in every corner of the world. Renewed by the Spirit, guided by the Church, sustained by prayer and friendship, the movement remains one of the greatest gifts of the Spirit to the Church in the twentieth century — and now also in the twenty-first.

De Colores!