Foundational Charism of the Cursillo Movement
January 2014
My talk will only skim over this very deep topic. In the words of Juan Ruiz, Cursillo National Hispanic Coordinator “A Cursillo de Cursillo is required to fully discuss the charism of the Cursillo in Christianity Movement”. I will try to share some important points about this topic.
In order to begin this topic we have to focus on the definition of Charism. The dictionary tells us the meaning is “gift” “present” which is equivalent to “grace” “appeal” or “vocation”. It’s practically synonymous of “functions and activities”.
“The charisms are, therefore, the effects of the Spirit of God in the believer, which can never be demanded by man, nor can they be provided by the official bodies of the church, nor can they be achieved by the reception of the sacraments.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Charisma in Section 799 as “a specific gift or grace of the Holy Spirit which directly or indirectly benefits the Church, given in order to help a person live out the Christian life, or to serve the common good in building up the Church.”
On-Going Conversion of the Person
February 2014
What is “Conversion”? Conversion is our turning toward God who is always turning toward us. Conversion is the response of our whole person turning in faith and love to the God who loves us. Faith is the giving of our whole self – head hearts and hands – back to God.
Conversion takes time. It takes chipping away at the stone wall, or tomb, which surrounds us and separates us from God and allows God entrance into our tomb, or life. It takes time and humility to learn that love is not self-made but pure gift.