The Sponsor Journey
Sponsorship is one of the most important parts of Cursillo. A sponsor does more than invite someone to attend a weekend. A sponsor accompanies the candidate before, during, and after the weekend as a Christian friend, prayer partner, and guide into Fourth Day community.
Resources
The following resources may be helpful while sponsoring a candidate.
Before the Weekend
The sponsor helps the candidate understand Cursillo, prayerfully discern readiness, and prepare for the weekend.
Common Sponsor Responsibilities
- Pray about who God may be calling you to sponsor.
- Pray regularly for the candidate before the weekend.
- Share your own Cursillo experience in a simple and honest way.
- Explain that Cursillo is intended to deepen a person’s relationship with Christ and strengthen their life in the Church.
- Help the candidate understand the commitment to attend the full weekend.
- Help determine whether the candidate is spiritually, emotionally, and physically ready for the weekend.
- Answer practical questions and help relieve fears or misconceptions.
- Assist with completing the application and meeting registration deadlines.
- Explain cost, payment, and scholarship options if needed.
- Help the candidate understand arrival time, location, what to bring, and other practical details.
- Encourage palanca and prayer support for the candidate.
- Avoid revealing weekend talks, special moments, or surprises that are meant to be experienced naturally.
During the Weekend
During the weekend, the sponsor continues to support the candidate through prayer, encouragement, and presence at sponsor activities when available.
Common Sponsor Responsibilities
- Continue praying for the candidate throughout the weekend.
- Offer palanca for the candidate and the team.
- Encourage others to pray for the candidate.
- Attend Sponsor’s Hour if offered by the local community.
- Attend Sponsor’s Mass or other sponsor activities if scheduled.
- Be present at Closing to welcome and support the candidate.
- Respect the weekend process and allow the candidate to fully experience the weekend.
After the Weekend: Fourth Day
The sponsor’s role does not end when the weekend is over. In many ways, the most important part of sponsorship begins after Closing.
Common Sponsor Responsibilities
- Welcome the new Cursillista at Closing and celebrate their Fourth Day.
- Check in during the first few days after the weekend.
- Continue regular contact during the first several weeks.
- Listen, encourage, and help answer questions that may arise.
- Help the new Cursillista connect with a reunion group.
- Invite the new Cursillista to Ultreya and Fourth Day activities.
- Encourage continued prayer, study, and action.
- Help the new Cursillista find ways to live their faith in family, parish, work, and community life.
- Encourage future service opportunities when appropriate.
- Continue being a Christian friend and mentor beyond the weekend.
A Sponsor Should Avoid
- Sponsoring someone they barely know.
- Pressuring someone into attending.
- Overselling the weekend or making promises about what the candidate will experience.
- Revealing weekend surprises or special moments.
- Assuming the weekend alone will provide long-term support.
- Disappearing after Closing.
- Failing to help the new Cursillista connect with Fourth Day community.
Sponsor Checklist
- Pray for the candidate before, during, and after the weekend.
- Explain the purpose of Cursillo honestly and simply.
- Help complete the application.
- Prepare the candidate for practical weekend details.
- Encourage palanca and prayer support.
- Attend sponsor events when available.
- Attend Closing.
- Contact the candidate soon after the weekend.
- Help the new Cursillista join a reunion group.
- Invite the new Cursillista to Ultreya and Fourth Day activities.
- Continue being a Christian friend and mentor.