WHAT is VIA de CRISTO?
Via de Cristo (Way of Christ) is an inspiring three-day spiritual renewal experience that is designed to awaken Christian faith. The method of presentation for the weekend is the Lutheran version of the Cursillo (Cur-see-0) method that originated in the Roman Catholic Church in Spain in the late 1940s and has since been used in adapted form by other Christian denominations.
Click HERE to download an informational brochure.
WHAT MAKES THIS FORM OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?
Cursillo means “short course” in Spanish. The weekend is an intense review of basic principles of Christianity presented in such a special way that even those who have had many years of active participation in church work find it inspiring and learn to live more effective Christian lives. The method of Cursillo, and Via de Cristo, awakens awareness of God’s presence in daily life.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Via de Cristo is intended for the spiritual renewal of people who are currently actively participating in the work of a Christian church. It is not intended to convert non-Christians or to deal with cases where participants have recently faced a major crisis in their lives. While Via de Cristo was established by Lutherans, participants from other denominations are encouraged to attend since the weekend deals with the basic Christian principles which most denominations accept.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING ON THE WEEKENDS?
Local organizations that carry out the preparation and administration of the weekends are made up of lay people and clergy who have previously attended similar weekends and are familiar with the Cursillo method. Living Water is the name of the organization reaching out from the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities areas. The local organizations operate independent of, but in cooperation with local churches. Clergy from local churches, who have attended a Living Water VdC weekend, act as the spiritual directors and counselors for the Via de Cristo weekends.
HOW MANY WEEKENDS ARE HELD A YEAR?
Currently there is one co-ed weekend each Spring and Fall.
WHAT TYPE OF WEEKENDS ARE THERE?
While men and women struggle with many of the same issues in their relationship with God, there are some aspects of these issues that are unique to each. We hold co-ed weekends where men and women attend at the same time, though housed separately.
WHY SHOULD AN ACTIVE CHRISTIAN ATTEND A VIA de CRISTO WEEKEND?
People’s lives are filled with so many problems requiring decisions, and they are bombarded by so much information from the news media that their understanding of Christian commitment becomes fragmented and diffuse. Carrying out duties to family, job, and church becomes mechanical and eventually without much enthusiasm. The Via de Cristo weekend provides an opportunity to temporarily shut off the bombardment of information from other sources and permits total concentration on Christianity. It is this total immersion in Christian principles and God’s grace for three days that permits the participant to refocus his or her life. The weekend is filled with singing, praying, listening, reflecting, discussion, laughing, and sharing love in the context of the Christian tradition.
DOES EVERYONE NEED A SPONSOR?
Yes. Sponsors are involved in some guidance and assistance before, during, and after the weekend. Sponsors are people who have attended Via de Cristo or Cursillo weekends. Applicants who do not have a sponsor will be assigned one when they apply.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WEEKEND?
It is assumed that the renewed person will return to active participation in the congregation or parish from which they came. In addition, opportunities are provided for those who have attended a weekend to continue to get together with friends they met on the weekend. Small groups of four or five people are
encouraged to meet weekly to share experiences that they have had in serving God. Six times a year, usually on alternate months, all of those who have been involved in Via de Cristo are invited to get together for an evening to share a potluck supper, attend a worship service, and discuss the events of their lives.
WHERE CAN MORE INFORMATION BE OBTAINED?
Speakers who have been involved in Via de Cristo are available for presentations to church groups. A videotape about Via de Cristo is also available. To schedule speakers and/or the videotape, please contact us through one of the following:
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**The Via de Cristo
Representative at your church.
**Living Water Chairperson:
Augie Calsyn
563-340-4349
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**Pre-Weekend Chair:
Tim Ploch
815-202-3339
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**Living Water Website
www. livingwatervdc.net
