"The internationally growing Cursillo movement, or "short course in Christianity," founded in 1944 by Spanish Catholic lay practitioners, has become popular among American Catholics and Protestants alike. This lay-led weekend experience helps participants recommit to and live their faith. Emphasizing how American Christians have privileged the individual religious experience and downplayed denominational and theological differences in favor of a common identity as renewed people of faith, Kristy Nabhan-Warren focuses on cursillistas--those who have completed a Cursillo weekend--to show how their experiences are a touchstone for understanding these trends in post-1960s American Christianity. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork as well as historical research, Nabhan-Warren shows the importance of Latino Catholics in the spread of the Cursillo movement. Cursillistas' stories, she argues, guide us toward a new understanding of contemporary Christian identities, inside and outside U.S. borders, and of the importance of globalizing American religious boundaries"-- Provided by publisher.

Machine generated contents note: The Significance of Catholic and Protestant Cursillos and the Fourth-Day Movement -- ch. One Los Origenes Mallorquines -- Eduardo Bonnin Aguilo and the Birth of the Cursillo de Cristiandad Movement -- ch. Two Coming to America -- The Early History of U.S. Cursillos de Cristiandad -- ch. Three A Focus on Christian Experience -- The Protestant Cursillos (Tres Dias, Walk to Emmaus, Via de Cristo) and the National Episcopal Cursillo -- ch. Four Blooming Where We're Planted -- U.S. Catholics and Protestants Talk about Living Their Cursillo -- ch. Five Teens Encounter Christ -- Pioneer in Young Adult Weekend Experiences -- ch. Six Feeding Bodies and Souls -- Kairos Prison Ministry International -- ch. Seven Maverick yet Mainstream -- Christ Renews His Parish and Great Banquet -- Epilogue -- Cursillo Weekends, Fourth-Day Spirituality, and the Future.