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What is Via de Cristo?

The Via de Cristo is modeled on an idea which was developed in Spain as an instrument of spiritual renewal. The Via de Cristo is a highly structured well-thought-out method of providing the participants with an opportunity to reflect on their own faith while giving them some insights on how one’s grace-filled life may be accepted, loved, and shared in any area of life, in a loving way. This renewal movement is presented as a united effort by lay people and clergy to develop and renew Christian growth and leadership.

The Via de Cristo movement was founded by a Spanish Roman Catholic bishop in the 1940’s and has spread worldwide under many names. Hundreds of thousands of Christians from many denominations already have taken this weekend short course and have found it to be a practical approach to Christian renewal.

Thus, there is a vast and diverse group of peoples who have gone before you and who are waiting to support you. You will find that your shared experiences and Christian faith are the basis for deep friendships that reflect Christ’s love.

How Does Via de Cristo Accomplish its Aims?

The Via de Cristo begins on a Thursday evening and ends on the following Sunday evening. During the three days, participants live, study, sing, laugh and worship together – experiencing the same pattern through which Christ led the Apostles.

The Via de Cristo is centered around talks given by pastors and lay people. The titles of these talks indicate their content: Ideal, Habitual Grace, Laity in the Church, Actual Grace, Piety, Study, Grace Filled Days in the Life of a Christian, Apostolic Action, Obstacles to Grace, Leaders, Environment, Christian Community in Action and Total Security in Your Fourth Day.

The weekend builds from hour to hour, until you have a more complete picture of Christ’s action in your life. The Via de Cristo is a learning experience and is conducted by a team of lay and clergy volunteers. Each team member has been
selected carefully and trained rigorously to assure you of a meaningful experience.

Who Should Go to Via de Cristo?

The Via de Cristo is designed for those Christians who, having been informed of the methods and aims of the Via de Cristo Movement, believe the Via de Cristo can strengthen them in their faith and bring them closer to Christ in their discipleship. In short, the person who makes a Via de Cristo should recognize that being a Christian involves responsibility, and should therefore have both the human foundation and reserve to accept this responsibility. It is preferred that the applicant’s pastor has also attended a Via de Cristo.

Participants, married and single, come from all walks of life. Via de Cristo provides coed weekends as well as separate weekends for women and men. For couples, it is preferred that husbands attend first unless the couple attends a coed weekend together. The coed weekend is NOT a "couples" weekend, but husbands and wives may attend the same weekend together.

Should You Apply for a Via de Cristo Weekend?

• Yes, if you are searching for a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian.
• Yes, if you are searching for a new meaning or direction in your life.
• Yes, if you want to be more effective as a Christian leader.

After Via de Cristo, What?

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians uses such words as "straining forward" and "pressing on" to describe what is necessary if one is to become a mature follower of Christ. To enable the person who has returned from a Via de Cristo weekend to persevere, the Via de Cristo community encourages each individual to participate in small ongoing study and support groups and other functions on a regular basis.

You may attend Via de Cristo only once in your life, but you are asked to build on it for the rest of your life.

A Via de Cristo Weekend Is Three Days Long . . . But Lasts A Lifetime!