A VIA DE CRISTO WEEKEND IS THREE DAYS LONG... BUT LASTS A LIFETIME There is nothing secret about Via de Cristo (Way of Christ). Its aim is to zoom in for an extreme closeup of the teachings of Christ so that we, who are enveloped and entranced by the brilliance of the Secular World, can expericence His love. WHAT IS VIA DE CRISTO? Via de Cristo (pronounced Bee-ya day Kreesto) is the Lutheran expression of Cursillo®, which originated in the 1940's with the Roman Catholics. It is a short course about Jesus and our Christian faith. It begins on a Thursday evening at approximately 7 o'clock and ends the following Sunday about 6:00 p.m. During the three days of Via de Cristo, attendees listen to 14 talks given by laymen and clergy. Following each talk, small-group table discussions focus on the main points of the talk. In an overlapping fashion, the talks present various aspects of the Christian life, based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ as an ideal. Via de Cristo is a weekend of Christian Community Living held separately for men and women. Via de Cristo is a servant ministry (not-for-profit). Via de Cristo can enhance the ministries of pastors and lay people.

WHAT A VIA DE CRISTO IS NOT A Via de Cristo weekend is not: a revival meeting, group therapy, sensitivity training, a church school, or retreat. A Via de Cristo is made only once in a lifetime, but after a Via de Cristo one may work on a team if desired. The basic atmosphere of a Via de Cristo differs greatly from the individual solitude of a retreat. It is a very structured weekend, where the teachings of Christ are discussed in an atmosphere of joy. WHO SHOULD ATTEND A VIA DE CRISTO? The Via de Cristo is designed for those Christians who, having been informed of the aim of the Via de Cristo method, believe the Via de Cristo can strengthen them in their faith and bring them closer to Christ in their lay ministries. In short, the person who makes a Via de Cristo should recognize that being a Christian involves responsibility for apostolic endeavor, and should therefore have both the human foundation and moral reserve to acccept this responsibility. Single men or women may make a Via de Cristo. For married couples, idealy the husband and wife should attend consecutive (one week apart) weekends. If that is not possible, it is still prefered the husband attend prior to the wife. After the weekend experience, attendees are commonly called cursillistas (Pronounced Kur-See-E-Stahs) or pilgrims.

WHO WILL BE AT VIA DE CRISTO? Via de Cristo is ecumenical, and any weekend should find a mixture of attendees from various Christian churches. There will be people like yourself, who are curious, searching, discovering and growing. Included will be team laymen or women who spend weeks working and praying together preparing for the weekend, and becoming a community. Spiritual Directors--two pastors who serve as part of the team, will be present. The laymen and clergy who comprise the team spend weeks working together preparing their talks. It takes careful planning because the time is short, and the subject extensive. People from all walks of life grow closer to one another during the Via de Cristo. They listen, discuss, sleep, eat, and sing in a jovial, family atmosphere. Furnishings are not like a fancy hotel, but a spirit of fellowship makes them adequate. There is an abundance of good food and snacks. WHAT ARE THE TALKS? The following titles of the talks will help give you an idea of what you will hear: Ideals Habitual Grace Laity Actual Grace Piety Study Means of Grace Action Obstacles to Grace Leaders Environment Life in Grace Christian Community in Action Total Security in the Fourth Day