An encounter that transformed my perspective, shattered my prejudices, and forged lifelong friendships.
I had my first Cursillo in 1988, after resisting all the well-intentioned invitations for many years. I went with mixed feelings. The first evening, with “Know Yourself,” was already very difficult. If I had had the opportunity to go home, I would have done so. I feared a painful confrontation with the basic facts of my life. But as the course progressed, I felt a very strong attraction, above all to the living examples of the leaders. Even though they spoke openly about the difficulties they had to overcome throughout their lives, they were joyful, radiant people who felt supported by Christ.
Much of the Church’s teaching was presented to me in a new light, which allowed me to understand it better and accept it. I realized that I didn’t have to plan everything myself, but that there was someone who guides and loves us just as we are. It was a great relief!
Among the leaders was an elderly woman from my village whom I had certain prejudices against, but these turned into sympathy. She opened my heart, against my will. Later, when I myself was a leader, I was told that her speech had been a mistake—but for me it was the most important contribution of all. Without a doubt, the Holy Spirit was working in my favor.
At the Cursillo, I made friendships that lasted a lifetime, and Christ was among us. Having lived a Cursillo together creates very strong bonds; these are relationships on a different level from the “normal.”
At the closing ceremony, I burst into tears, and I remember perfectly what I said: “In my life, I have worn many masks, and now I continue to take them off one by one. And so it was.
I was very happy that my husband—after resisting for a long time, just like me—did his Cursillo a year later and came back with the same sense of fulfillment. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why we were able to celebrate our “Golden Wedding” (50 years of marriage) last year, even though we had endured many blows of fate together.
The woman who invited me to the Cursillo has always been an example to me: like her, I am a communion assistant, a lector, and I celebrate liturgies of the word. I will always be very grateful to her.
Hannelore Eisler
