Let The Women Be There

I was very involved in the Cursillo Movement for a decade in Atlanta. For the unfamiliar, Cursillo was founded in by Catholics in Spain as El Movimiento Cursillos de Christiandad in 1940. I am not bilingual but the name roughly translates in English to the Movement of Little Courses in Christianity. Most often, we refer to it as Cursillo. The movement has been modified and offered by other Christian traditions. Some use the name Cursillo, while others have chosen other names. However, there are strong similarities between the various movements.

The process begins when one is invited to a Cursillo weekend or retreat. It usually begins on Thursday evening and concludes early on Sunday. The weekend experience is overseen by spiritual advisors and facilitated by team members who have themselves made a Cursillo as well as prepared to serve others on the weekend. Included are a series of talks, small group conversations, shared meals, laughter, music, silent periods for contemplation, Mass and Reconciliation. Following the retreat, participants are invited to become part of a small group, and the larger community within their respective parish.

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One of my favorite parts of the women’s weekend was hearing the team sing,

“Let the women be there. Let the women be there.

Let the women be there by my side and

I, in turn, will be for them.”

A few years ago, I tried to learn more about the song to no avail. Sadly, our spiritual director, Margaret McAnoy, IHM, became ill before I began my query.

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Marygrove Conservancy in Detroit to speak on the occasion of Women’s Ordination Conference’s 50th Anniversary. The mission of the Conservancy is to preserve the legacy of Marygrove College. Operating from 1905 to 2019, the College was founded by the IHM sisters of Monroe. This was Sister Margaret’s congregation.

Sitting in the chapel on Friday evening, a woman with a guitar approached the microphone. The joyous energy of the celebration became a moment of personal wonderment as she played her instrument and sang,

“Let the women be there. Let the women be there.

Let the women be there by my side…”

When I shared my experience with someone, I learned that the woman with the guitar was Marsie Silvestro, the writer of the song.