A short spiritual retreat or intensive course in Christian faith, originating in Spain and often involving small group discussions and personal renewal.
From Spanish 'cursillo,' which is the diminutive of 'curso' (course), from Latin 'cursus' (running, course). The term was developed in Spain in the 1940s and adopted by Catholic organizations worldwide.
The Cursillo movement shows how Spanish Catholicism created a unique word for a unique spiritual practice—'cursillo' implies not just a short course, but an intimate, transformative experience, which is why it's been borrowed into English rather than translated.
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