Originally published at Orange County Catholic
IN 1939, AS THE Spanish Civil War drew to a close, Spain’s Roman Catholic Church was recovering from three years of severe persecution, during which over 6,500 clergy were killed by the Socialist Republicans. At the same time, the ascendant Nazi fascist regime in Germany displayed a similar hostility toward religion, especially the clergy. Understandably, the typical Catholic at that time desperately needed spiritual renewal and hope. In Mallorca, a movement began that was more than a retreat, it was a once in a lifetime course designed to renew, revive and hearten the faithful to live their faith with confidence and conviction.
The Cursillo, or “short course” in Spanish, had such a powerful impact on participants in the spiritual revitalization and encouraging “Cursistas” to be more Christ-centered and Christ-like, that in 1963 Pope Paul VI gave Cursillo formal Church approval.
TRACEY ROCHA (PICTURED WITH LOUIE SUNIGA) HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE CURSILLO MOVEMENT SINCE 2008. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACEY ROCHA
While it has its roots as a response to a time of persecution, today, the worldwide Cursillo movement can be likened to a pick-me-up for everyday Catholics whose spiritual connections need a recharge.
Or, as in the case of
