Davao Cursillo Movement after 58 Years…

As they would say, it has been a long and bumpy ride and the Cursillos in Christianity here in the Archdiocese of Davao is no exception at all. Some may ask, is the Cursillo Movement still around? It has been 58 years and the movement is still alive and kicking!!! Taking its roots from the old seminary rooms of the Redemptorist Fathers in Bajada in 1964 to the rooms of the MIC Sisters along F. Torres Street from the early 1970s to the late 1990s, the Cursillo Movement has produced more than 200 weekend classes for both men and women. Needless to say, it has outlived martial law, about 7 or 8 Philippine presidents and a historical men’s class while the EDSA Revolution was going on in February 1986. What happened then?

Branching out… Call it the prodding of the Holy Spirit. From the comforts of the MIC Retreat House, the movement has branched out to different areas or venues. From the Teresian Daughters of Mary Convent along MacArthur Highway in Matina, Benedictine Sisters in Ulas, the movement has conducted Cursillo Weekends in the parishes of Toril, Mintal and Malabog to name a few. Also, at Saint James Parish in Compostela Valley, Davao de Oro in the early 2000s. The movement has likewise catered to the renewal requirements of Lay Eucharistic Ministers, mga Pangulo sa Liturhiya and other various parish leaders.

Monday Rosary… any new Cursillista, men or women are invited after their graduation to attend the regular Monday Rosary at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Malvar Street at around 6:30 in the evening. Such Monday Rosary was established around 1967 and went on without fail before the pandemic. With the onset of COVID 19, the new breed of Cursillo leaders came out with a good idea so that the Monday Rosary will not end. From a single day and single location at that, the recitation of the Holy Rosary has evolved into a daily recitation of Mama Mary’s beloved prayer through the wonders of Facebook. It has reached 31 families as daily rosary leaders on a daily basis. Just imagine the number of family members being able to pray the rosary every day. So, if you want to get involved, call or text the number below and start your own group of rosary leaders/sponsors.

DXGN-FM 89.9… “sama sama together, always and forever”:….ok come on…you didn’t know that the Cursillo Movement now has its own radio time slot. Then, simply tune in every Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 in the evening and catch the latest topics and events of our beloved movement. This is a new challenge for the movement to air relevant issues, our local church would like us to promote.

After 58 Years of Grace… Brother and Sister Cursillistas, on Sunday, September 25, 2022 we will be celebrating our 58th Foundation Anniversary and Grand Ultreya at San Alfonso Maria de Ligouri Parish in Mandug with our theme, “Cursillistas: Piniyalan Sa Kristohanong Pagtoo”. Rev. Fr. Jemasol “Jojo” Ortiz, our Spiritual Director and Parish Priest of said parish will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration at 8:00 in the morning. After lunch, Rev. Fr. Ronald D. Arcillas, Commission on Vocations Director and Configuration Year 2 Companion Priest of the Regional Major Seminary here in the Archdiocese of Davao as our guest speaker will share with us his spiritual thoughts on this year’s Grand Ultreya General Theme. It will be a BYOB affair not only for our agape but likewise our own meaning of “Bring Your Own Best…version of yourself.” Let us all proudly shout…. De Colores and Ultreya!!! (Bro. Ding Ozoa Calderon)