The Cursillo Movement has reached a new milestone in its 50-year history in Brooklyn and Queens. It recently held its 700th weekend for men and the 701st for women.

Forty men and 50 women attended their respective Cursillos. The men’s weekend took place Jan. 25-28, and the women’s event was Feb. 22-25.

Cursillos de Cristiandad are small courses in Christianity conducted in Spanish that are held over a three-day weekend. The Movement conducts its sessions at the Jesus of Nazareth Retreat Center at Nazareth Regional H.S. in East Flatbush.

“The main idea is to offer an environment to have an authentic encounter with Jesus to produce the beginning of a personal conversion that will

continue during the rest of one’s life,” said Msgr. Perfecto Vazquez, spiritual director of the Cursillo.

“The purpose of the Cursillo Movement is to transform people into better persons and better Christians. It is a wonderful process of evangelization which engenders the wish to evangelize others.”

Cursillo Tripod

Msgr. Vazquez said that the weekends are guided by the “Cursillista tripod of piety, study and action.” Their goal is to create an atmosphere to learn and understand the goodness, compassion and love of God the Father.

At the end of each Cursillo, the priest gives a crucifix to the new Cursillista saying, “Christ counts on you.” To which, the recipient responds, “And I on Him.”

On Saturday, June 9, the Cursillo will conduct its annual Ultreya, a reunion of Cursillistas, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pa. Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros will be the main celebrant of the liturgy.

Deacon Ruben Mendez of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Astoria, is the assistant director of the movement and served at both the men’s and women’s Cursillos.

The men’s No. 700 had Modesto Solis as its rector, assisted by Gerardo Lozano. The rector for women’s No. 701 was Mari Fernandez of St. Michael’s parish, Flushing, and she was assisted by Juanita Rivera of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.