Reading the Gospel, Christianity seems simple. However, reading some theological treatises, it can seem very complicated. The Cursillos de Cristiandad is one of the best—if not the best—ways to make the difficult simplicity of the Gospel a lived reality. This small book you’re holding, which clearly explains the simplicity of the Cursillo Movement and its constant call to choose the Gospel solution, is a text signed by Eduardo Bonnín Aguiló. It was found among his vast legacy—currently being cataloged—and is preserved by the Eduardo Bonnín Aguiló Foundation. Written by Eduardo for a talk he was invited to give on the challenges facing the Movement, this book compiles the concise responses that, in the form of publications, shed light on the message, purpose, and original mentality of the Cursillo Movement. This reading aims to provide answers to essential aspects of Cursillos.

The Conversations of Cala Figuera were a long-held wish of Eduardo Bonnín that finally came true in August 1994, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first-ever Cursillo de Cristiandad. Their goal was precisely to bring together Cursillo friends from around the world to talk, live together, grow in friendship, but above all, to think and reflect deeply on the Charism of the Cursillo Movement. What you have in your hands is a very small piece of what we lived in May 2016 during the Fourth Conversations of Cala Figuera, because the best part can’t be captured in any book: the hugs, the glances, the visits to the Tabernacle, the palancas sent from five continents, the Lord’s caresses to each one of us who were there. Here we have gathered the rollos from the IV CCF, which aim to walk the path that begins when a person cracks open the door of their heart just enough for the Lord to enter and announce the Good News: that God loves them. That’s where the Encuentro happens—a moment that can radically change a life and give way to Hope, open one to the wonder of faith, and gradually turn one’s life into a Life in Fullness. This fullness begins when we let God act in us, placing us in a state of constant Gratitude, until we ourselves become a Sign—the fruit of the ongoing conversion process that each of us can live throughout our lives.

On the 25th anniversary of the Cursillo held in Cala Figuera in August 1944—the first-ever Cursillo de Cristiandad—Father Gabriel Seguí Vidal MSSCC (1907–1996), historian and direct witness, believed it was fitting to share his work on the Origins of the Cursillos de Cristiandad, shedding light on what was experienced among the young people of Catholic Action. Now, as we mark 75 years since the Cursillo of Cala Figuera and 50 years since the publication of what’s colloquially known as “Father Seguí’s History,” the Eduardo Bonnín Aguiló Foundation (FEBA) deems it timely and necessary to publish both his biography and his work on the origins of the Cursillo Movement, to honor and make known the person of Father Gabriel Seguí Vidal, who always encouraged, supported, and stood by Eduardo Bonnín and his friends, showing a wide vision of the Church.

Eduardo made many sheets for his personal use, which he frequently used as a script when he spoke. Some of them contain a single thought, but there are others that constitute true schemes, more or less complicated, difficult to interpret for someone other than the author himself. As these sheets expose an important part of his thinking, it was thought that they could be rewritten in a version that was easily accessible to everyone, always trying to reproduce his ideas with the utmost fidelity, although it was inevitable that, at least in part, his peculiar and very personal way of expressing himself would be lost. The difficulty increased due to the fact that the sheets were written, as already mentioned, with the purpose of serving as an aid in oral interventions and never thinking about their written publication. This adaptation work was started by Guillermo Bibiloni, a good connoisseur of the subject and author of a "History of Cursillos," but it was left incomplete, surely due to Guillermo's death, remaining forgotten among Eduardo's countless papers, until recently, the manuscript was found, considering it a great find. This part, adapted by Guillermo Bibiloni, is what is now published, leaving for later the rest of the sheets, which are still the object of the necessary adaptation work for comfortable reading. A few years ago, a booklet with this same title, written by Eduardo, was published. Although some coincidence is possible, the content of these first "Reflections" and that of "Reflections II" is different, since then, apparently, the author did not resort to the sheets we know, but to other sources from his copious archive.

Eduardo Bonnín long dreamed of a global gathering of Cursillistas to exchange experiences—so that the ideas sparked in any part of the world where Cursillos were held could be shared with all. He hoped that in the warmth of community, friendship and admiration would grow for all that, by God’s grace, had been achieved. His dream came true in 1994 with the first Conversations of Cala Figuera, then again in 2002 with the second edition. Finally, in 2011—after his death in 2008—his friends, who consider themselves continuers of his work, organized the third Conversations of Cala Figuera, striving to preserve the spirit and essence of the first two. Though different in content, these followed the same line of thought. The themes explored—Christianity in Dialogue, Meaning, Attitude, Creativity, Communication, Trust, and Transcendence—form a group of questions of undeniable importance for anyone who wishes to live the Cursillo experience.

​The Cursillos de Cristiandad opened a path to live the Gospel in the present time. Today, millions of people around the world conjugate Christ's word in the first person, thanks to that Cursillos experience that was born in the secular environment of Mallorca. This long conversation with Eduardo Bonnín, founder of the Cursillos, sheds light on the difficult and luminous trajectory of a man—made of heaven and clay—who was born called to make God's tenderness transparent. Between historical character and understanding of mentality, through this reading, we learn about the facts of Cursillos and the person of Eduardo Bonnín.

This is the posthumous publication of the author's spiritual testament, who wanted to transmit the facts and their motivations from the beginnings of the Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement with a vocation for permanence. He also wanted to transmit it through a notarial document to leave no doubt about its origin and authenticity.

The magazine "Testimonio" published in Venezuela, came to light from 1986 to 1994 and carried many articles about the Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement. Bonnín was repeatedly invited by Father Cesáreo to write something about it. Some of his articles were published in different issues, but their dissemination was very limited. Repeatedly some friends have made it known that it is a shame that these writings are not known by people who might benefit from reading them. This is the reason why this publication has come into your hands.

This book reflects the living trajectory that the Foundational Charism of the Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement has been following since its beginnings, and the difficulties it has encountered throughout its history to remain faithful to its identity. The correspondence maintained with Father Cesáreo explains it in detail. The truth of the facts always floats because it is true, although many novels have been written around it. I harbor the desire and hope that someday these realities, roots from which the motivation, the Method, and the style of our Movement have emerged, will be taken into account.

Forty-five years later... some Cursillistas searched high and low and finally contacted Pedro Casaldáliga, managing to revive this small booklet, once forgotten in the library of oblivion. It tells the great adventure—spirit-filled and full of challenges—of the arrival of the Cursillos de Cristiandad in Africa. A book bursting with spirit, enthusiasm, and God. It’s the first book we should all read after completing a Cursillo. The foreword, written by Don Pedro, bishop emeritus of Mato Grosso and fellow Cursillista, is excellent. Together with Eduardo and others, they managed to color Africa with Cursillo's spirit.

Simple and profound truths are the sensitive material this book is made of, in which E. Bonnín reminds us "how complicated it is to make people understand that something is simple." Because each one has a different vision, what we have to achieve is that the Christ of each person is the person of Christ. – Being a Christian is not a project that is realized, but a realization that is projected. – It is not an event of life, but making life a continuous, astonishing, and grateful event. – I want my future to be better and more aware of myself and for the optimism of living to reach as many as possible.

In the early 1990s, a growing desire emerged within the Cursillo Movement to better define the essence of its Foundational Charism. This led to the first Conversations of Cala Figuera in 1994. Eight years later, the second Conversations delved even deeper into the topic. The talks from 2002, now published, reflect an intelligent collaboration between laypeople and priests, a complementary and convergent effort centered on what truly matters.

Guillermo Bibiloni’s book, in contrast to Xisco Forteza’s, takes a more technical and historical approach to the history of the Cursillos de Cristiandad. It recounts the events that took place between 1944 and its publication. Though not free from some inaccuracies, these will be clarified in future revisions or other publications. It’s a well-documented and informative read. We recommend beginners read Xisco’s book first. Guillermo Bibiloni passed away in 2006.

In August 1994, the 1st Conversations of Cala Figuera took place in Mallorca, Spain, with 146 delegates from the Cursillos de Cristiandad from fifteen countries. During this international meeting, ten “runways for takeoff” were developed by various Cursillistas—ten concepts that, when deeply understood (with the heart), bring individuals closer to the Foundational Charism of the Cursillos de Cristiandad—the foundations of personal flight, of daily nearness to God.

Forgotten Evidence is a treatise on the mentality of Cursillos. The bases on which the true orientation of the purpose of the Cursillos Movement rests, the pillars pointed out in the person. A text for everyone, brief, accurate, and concrete to constantly reflect, savor at all times about the person's attitude in tune with their environment. The book covers all aspects of the person as such, their being, their doing, their virtualities, and their environment: the real and friendship.

This book captures one of the most unique and, at the same time, most unknown events in our recent history: the Cursillos de Cristiandad. Francisco Forteza’s book, avoiding both apologetics and dry historicism, belongs to testimonial literature. It openly unveils the human story—full of errors, intrigue, and manipulation—behind the Cursillo Movement, while at the same time defending the value of what the author calls the “foundational charism.” The Cursillos de Cristiandad were conceived and born in the 1940s on the island of Mallorca, Spain. A fine, elegant, and precise work.

A passionate text that always opts for the person and the Gospel, against its instrumentalization or its reduction to inert structures. This document is not a theoretical and aseptic study. If its purpose were this, its authors would have nuanced more and completed some of its statements. It is a living text, which will undoubtedly sow restlessness and hope. It does not want to be a medical treatise, but a medicine. For our part, we will continue striving for the reality of the Cursillos to be fully realized, in line with those who preceded us, promoting all valid initiatives.

In 1962, the first Cursillos methodology book appeared, whose content has helped and continues to help with full validity the development of the Cursillos movement in many Leader Schools. From the global scheme of the Movement, meticulously going through its stages of Precursillo, Cursillo, and Postcursillo, to delving into the Mentality sheets. These sheets were developed to reflect on our lives. A good instrument for those who are going to serve a Cursillo. Clear and straightforward language. Practical book.