top of page

What Is Via de Cristo And Its History?

​

Via de Cristo means "The Way Of Christ". It's a structured, 3-day course in Christianity, designed to help Christians examine their faith and impact their environments for Christ. Presented as a combined effort of laity and clergy, it's interdenominational in nature.

 

Originating in the Roman Catholic Church in Spain in the late 1940s, the Cursillo (Spanish for "short course") movement came to America in the 1950s. It began in the Lutheran Church when laity and clergy attended Catholic Cursillos in 1971 in Iowa and Florida. The first Lutheran-sponsored Cursillos began in 1972 in Iowa and Florida. Lutheran Cursillo was brought to Michigan in 1980 with the help of Lutheran movements in Florida and Virginia, and today weekends are held all over America. Lutheran Via de Cristo of Central Michigan (LVCCM) is affiliated with the National Lutheran Secretariat (NLS) of Via de Cristo. The name was changed from Lutheran Cursillo to Lutheran Via de Cristo nationally in 1986.

Pencil_edited.png

What Happens During A Weekend?

​

Weekends begin on Thursday night and end Sunday. During the 3 days, participants live and study together through singing, fellowship, worship, and prayer. Although never asked to do anything they are uncomfortable with, participants gain the most from the weekend through active participation and a spirit of cooperation.

 

The weekend is centered around 14 talks, 5 given by clergy and 9 by laity. After each talk, small group discussions will focus on the main points of the talk. The talks present various aspects of a Christian life, based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ as an ideal. Via de Cristo offers participants a living and personal understanding of basic Christian truths.

Pencil_edited_edited.png
Pencil_edited_edited.png

What Is The Purpose Of Via de Cristo?

​

Can Christianity penetrate the different areas of our lives? Can it transform the world? Scripture responds with a resounding "yes"! Jesus said: "You are the light of the world...let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven." - Matthew 5:14,16.

 

Via de Cristo is intended to help Christians shine before others as "the light of the world." It proposes no new type of spirituality, nor is it a church; it simply presents a means through which a grace-filled life can be lived and shared with others in a natural and loving way. It's designed to strengthen and renew the Christian faith, thereby helping participants share their faith within their family, congregation, and environments in which they live and work.

Pencil_edited_edited.png

What Happens After A Weekend?

​

Participants can only attend a weekend once. For the rest of their life, they are asked to put into practice and build upon what was learned and experienced during the weekend. This is known as "living your 4th day." Those who attend a weekend are asked to do two things during their 4th day: 

  • continue to expand their inner spiritual life

  • become active, daily witnesses for Christ

 

Via de Cristo offers two ways to help accomplish these while promoting perseverance in the Christian faith:

  • Ultreya: a monthly meeting of the Via de Cristo community, offering encouragement and renewal

  • Reunion Groups: small groups of men or women that meet regularly to help one another in their spiritual development

 

Although participation is voluntary, involvement in Ultreyas and Reunion Groups is strongly encouraged and beneficial to one's lifelong faith journey.

bottom of page