Essentials

TRES DIAS is based on the principles, the method, and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Cursillo movement initially proposed by , Eduardo Bonnin, Bishop Juan Hervas and their fellow Christians. Each pilgrim goes through three phases of the TRES DIAS movement: the pre-weekend, the three-day weekend and the Fourth Day. TRES DIAS is a Christian ecumenical movement. TRES DIAS is designed to be a non-denominational weekend for all Christian denominations.

"The founders of the Cursillo movement saw a world of great need around them. They knew that the answer to t he needs of the world had to be Christ and His Grace; but...they saw Christians who did not live for Christ, and they saw a church that was...ineffective and without life. They developed the Cursillo to meet part of this problem: to provide any part of the church which was ready to undertake the formation of Christian life with all the people it needed -- people who would have the deep dedication to Christ and to bringing all peoples to Him -- people who would undertake a regular program of formation in Christianity, and who would make their Christian life conscious and vital -- people who would understand how to be part of a unified apostolic effort."©˜

The main teaching of TRES DIAS is God's unqualified love for each of us through grace.

It asks each member of the TRES DIAS community to grow in their personal piety, to study God's Word and other Christian writings and to express their love for Christ in Christian Apostolic Action.

These three aspects of Christian growth are stressed in the cloistered environment called, "the weekend." An invitation is issued during the weekend for each Pescadore to join a small group of his/her own choosing for continued support, prayer and encouragement.

In order to ensure consistency and stability within the TRES DIAS Movement, there must be certain essential aspects to which all TRES DIAS organizations conform. These Essentials fall into two categories: those which are quantitative and those which are qualitative in nature. It is the intent of TRES DIAS to use both of these categories as criteria for chartering local secretariats.

It should therefore be the policy of local secretariats to comply with these Essentials. Policies of local secretariats which deviate from these Essentials must be reviewed on an individual basis and are subject to the approval of TRES DIAS.

The Essentials of the Movement

TRES DIAS is a Christian movement.

The ultimate objective of the TRES DIAS Movement is to strengthen and extend the Body of Christ. No TRES DIAS organization shall change the teachings or practices of the TRES DIAS Movement to accommodate the participation of non-Christians. For the purpose of these Essentials, "Christian" is intended to refer to those who are seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

TRES DIAS is a Christian ecumenical movement.

All TRES DIAS organizations shall actively seek the participation of persons from all the Christian denominations in their environment.

All TRES DIAS organizations shall stress those things which the Christian denominations have in common and respect those things which are different.

All TRES DIAS organizations have the duty and the authority to protect the TRES DIAS ecumenical structure.

TRES DIAS is a lay led movement.

TRES DIAS is a lay led movement; however, the active participation of the clergy is both essential and to be encouraged.

TRES DIAS is a non-profit movement.

TRES DIAS organizations should pursue prudent fiscal policies.

They shall avoid accumulating assets beyond what is required to carry out their part in the TRES DIAS Movement.

The TRES DIAS Movement shall not assume the role of a denomination.

TRES DIAS is not a church-substitute; rather, it encourages Christians to worship and serve in their home congregations, as leaders.

TRES DIAS is not a service organization.

The TRES DIAS movement encourages Pescadores to participate in "worthy projects." TRES DIAS organizations shall limit their activities to those related to carrying out the TRES DIAS method.

The Essentials of the Method

The three sequential phases of an individual's involvement shall be: The Pre-weekend phase, The Weekend phase and the Fourth Day phase.

The objective of the Pre-weekend phase is to prepare individuals for participation in the Weekend.

The purpose of the Weekend, in terms of the method, is to prepare individuals for effective participation in the Fourth Day.

The Essentials of the Pre-Weekend Phase

That the pilgrim be sponsored for participation in all phases of the TRES DIAS Movement, rather than just the Weekend.

That pilgrims be sponsored by a member of a chartered TRES DIAS community or a similar community approved by TRES DIAS.

That pilgrims have a desire for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

That pilgrims be accepted from all Christian denominations.

That pilgrims be at least 21 years of age. However, if a local secretariat, using its best judgment, finds a sound and compelling reason (such as spouse of a pescadore, or military personnel), it OCCASIONALLY, on a case by case basis, may accept a pilgrim who is at least 18 years of age.

That pilgrims have not previously made a TRES DIAS weekend or a similar experience recognized as equivalent by TRES DIAS.

The Essentials of the Weekend Phase

That the weekend have the following characteristics:

It is a weekend of living in Christian community involving a combination of carefully developed activities and teachings which are meant to lead to a fuller personal commitment to Christ.

It embodies personal witness, but it is not a revival meeting.

It employs group dynamics, but it is neither sensitivity training nor group therapy.

It employs theological instruction that encourages the candidate to study his/her own Christian beliefs, but it is not a course in doctrine.

It includes a period of silent introspection, but it is not a retreat.

It is a renewal experience for Christians and is not necessarily a conversion experience.

It asks for basic faith, openness and a seeking attitude on the part of the candidate, but involves a great amount of dedication, prayer and careful planning on the part of the team.

It is an encounter with the Holy Spirit. However, TRES DIAS is not a "charismatic" movement.

The weekend is a tool of God, not an end in itself. The weekend will not produce a permanent effect without Fourth Day activity.

That the Spiritual Directors be qualified to teach and counsel in spiritual matters.

That at least one of the Spiritual Directors on the Weekend be ordained and be authorized to regularly celebrate Holy Communion by his/her denomination. For the purpose of these Essentials, "clergy" is intended to refer to those persons qualified to serve as Spiritual Directors.

That men and women attend separate weekends. The Spiritual Directors are exempted.

That team members represent a spectrum of Christian denominations.

That team members have previously made either a TRES DIAS Weekend or a similar experience recognized by TRES DIAS.

That the Rector be a lay person and be responsible for all aspects of the weekend, under the authority of the local sponsoring secretariat.

That the team meet prior to the weekend to: promote community, receive instruction on the dynamics and critique all the Rollos.

That the TRES DIAS weekend be an intensive three-day program lasting approximately 72 continuous hours.

That the team and candidates live in a cloistered environment for the entire weekend.

That lay-talks not be given by clergy, and Spiritual Director talks not be given by a lay person.

The Essentials of the Fourth Day Phase

The Pre-weekend and Weekend phases are only a prelude to each individual's Fourth Day.

Reunion Groups

That local secretariats encourage Pescadores to participate in Reunion Groups.

That local secretariats utilize the form of the reunion group known as "The Working Reunion Group," to carry out the activities of the TRES DIAS Movement.

Secuelas

That local secretariats sponsor regularly scheduled Secuelas; preferably at least once each month.

That each Secuela include an opportunity for Pescadores to participate in the form of reunion group known as "The Floating Reunion Group."

That each Secuela include a "Fourth Day Talk."