WHAT ABOUT AFTER THE WEEKEND? After the three days is the fourth day--the balance of the cursillistas' life on earth. During this time they are expected to apply the apostolic fervor and spirituality which the Via de Cristo has generated in them to bring others to Christ. The community spirit is continued after the weekend through reunions of small groups of men or women who meet weekly to encourage one another in their quest for spiritual improvement and their ministries. Periodic area-wide ultreyas give the community a chance to meet and renew the spirit of a Via de Cristo weekend. SOME WEEKEND COMMENTS: “On Thursday night I walked into what looked like an ordinary building. When I left on Sunday, I walked out of a palace.” “Going into my weekend, I felt my life consisted of many walls; many barriers. Leaving the camp Sunday evening, I looked back and saw nothing but crumbled walls.” “My friend told me the food was good. He was right. You can’t compare soul food with anything else.” “I feel like I have been plugged into a power source.” What happened to them happens to many who attend a Via de Cristo weekend. There is no magic, there is no mystery--other than the divine mystery of Christ's endless love.

HOW DID VIA DE CRISTO BEGIN? Cursillo® began in Spain in the 1940's, and came to the states a few years later. In 1972, totally unaware of each other, two Lutheran Cursillos® were held within one month of each other. The first was in Miami, Florida, and the second in Atlantic, Iowa. Once they discovered each other, plans were made to bring them together, along with some others. In 1986, Lutheran Cursillo® was changed to Via de Cristo as a commitment to ecumenism. Today, there are about forty secretariats in the United States, plus Costa Rica, Finland, New Guinea, and Bolivia. EACH VIA DE CRISTO OFFERS: Ö A potential for personal growth. Ö A tool of renewal for the church. Ö An opportunity for discovering more of the meaning of LIFE. Ö A sharing in the creative process of becoming, recognizing that we are “fellow strugglers” not “finished products.” Ö A launching pad to encourage action in the church in the world. Ö A focus of responsibility and mission beyond Via de Cristo. Ö An experience of Christian community.