What's New

For the first time in more than seven years, Cursillo weekends in English were...
During the listening phase of the Synod on Synodality in the Diocese of Little...

Calendar of Events

Feb. 20, 2025 - Feb. 23, 2025
Cursillo for Men (English)
St. John Catholic Center
April 24, 2025 - April 27, 2025
Cursillo for Women (English)
St. John Catholic Center

Cursillo

Updated Oct. 31, 2023

En Español

Spiritual Director

Dc. Rob Brothers
Phone: (479) 306-8188 (cell)
Email: robb@svdprogers.com

The Cursillo movement strives for Christ to be the prime influence in society. Cursillo is a simple method to develop Christian spirituality, mentality, activity and community. The prime objectives of the Cursillo movement in Arkansas are to develop in adult Christians a consciousness of their power and mission to become leaders in the work of Christian renewal, and to sustain them as they provide a Christian leaven in civic, social and economic life.

Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-yo) is a Spanish word meaning "little" or "short course." Cursillos de Cristiandad (short courses of Christianity) is an international, lay movement of the Catholic Church developed in Spain in the 1940s and spread to the United States by 1957. 

The goal of Cursillo is to "teach men and women how to become effective Christian leaders in their neighborhoods, parishes, work situations and other places where people live." Cursillo "forms Christians through spiritual formation courses (cursillos), in which they are invited to build a closer relationship with Christ and to a deeper experience of Christian community. It was officially recognized by Pope St. Paul VI, who designated Cursillos as a renewal movement of the Church."

There are three stages of the movement: Pre-Cursillo (recruiting phase), Cursillo Three Day (weekend retreat) and Post-Cursillo (small group gatherings, ultreyas, school of leaders). The retreat begins on a Thursday evening and ends on Sunday night, during which participants listen to rollos (pronounced roy-os), which are talks presented by priests and laypeople. They also pray, have small group discussion and celebrate Mass together. Retreats and small groups are offered separately for men and women.

In April 2023, a national team trained 26 Arkansas Cursillo leaders in English at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. Visit our calendar to find dates for Cursillo weekends for men and women. For more information about the Cursillo program in our diocese, contact Deacon Brothers in English at (479) 306-8188 or robb@svdprogers.com.

English Secretariat

The following make up the English Secretariat, which is the governing body for English Cursillo in the Diocese of Little Rock.

  • Spiritual Director: Deacon Rob Brothers, Rogers
  • Diocesan Cursillo Coordinator: Nancy Christian, Benton
  • School of Leaders Chair: Rick Parker, Rogers
  • Pre-Cursillo Chair: Ed Moix, Rogers
  • Three-Day Cursillo Chair: Susie Chilton, Benton
  • Post-Cursillo Chair: Jeff Snyder, Rogers
  • Treasurer: Jennifer Didion, Fort Smith
  • Secretary: Vivian Fox, Russellville

What's New

For the first time in more than seven years, Cursillo weekends in English were...
During the listening phase of the Synod on Synodality in the Diocese of Little...

Calendar of Events

Feb. 20, 2025 - Feb. 23, 2025
Cursillo for Men (English)
St. John Catholic Center
April 24, 2025 - April 27, 2025
Cursillo for Women (English)
St. John Catholic Center