I recently worked my first Cursillo weekend and had an amazing and Christ filled experience. I am awed by how deeply the Holy Spirit moves through the entire process of each Cursillo weekend. I was blessed to be assigned to the Kitchen team and truly felt the Lord inviting me to that team (which was an amazing group of women). Each of the women on the kitchen team blessed the others by embracing the virtues of charity, service, and work. We worked cheerfully at whatever needed to be done. There were a few times when something didn’t go as expected, and our team rallied together in prayer and action and persevered. I truly felt the grace of God flowing through our team.

I have a special devotion to our mother Mary, but during the weekend, I felt so close to St. Therese of Lisieux, and blessed Teresa of Calcutta, as I served the candidates and team members. I kept thinking of Blessed Teresa, “Do small things with great Love,” and seeing the face of Christ in each candidate and team member.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

The best part about experiencing the other side of a Cursillo weekend was seeing and taking part in the many efforts that go into the retreat. The preparation that begins weeks before: praying for the candidates and team members, hearing the rollos, offering up Palanca for the weekend.

And then all of the many components going on during the weekend: daily mass in the palanca chapel; blessing each of the speakers before their Rollo; seeing the candidates expressions when they first enter the Agape dinner. I was deeply moved to see all of the Cursillistas who came for Mananita, Sunday morning. The tremendous outpouring of love was both inspiring and humbling. I came home from that beautiful weekend tired but refreshed in the Spirit.

Jennifer Feltl