"Ultreya" is used as a greeting between Cursillistas, to encourage one another to keep
going onward and upward, and is also used for times when the Cursillo community meets
to share and rejoice together.
A "Primitive Ultreya" is a meeting where Cursillistas share
and pray together.
An "Ultreya con Fiesta" usually also includes singing and food in
addition to sharing and prayer.
Ultreya !
Origins of the phrase "Ultreya" within the Cursillo Movement
As related by Emilio Fra (Alcala de Henares, Spain)
Extensively reworded by Scotty Ward, Episcopal Cursillo, Diocese of
Washington (DC).
In the area of Mallorca Spain, Catholic men would strive to deepen their
spiritual growth through a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago de
Compostela. This shrine was located on a mountain called "Monte del
gozo". The pilgrims would have to take a long and difficult journey in
order to reach this shrine.
The pilgrims, when they first arrived at Monte del gozo, would shout
"Ultreya!", because it is the first place you can see Santiago de
Compostela in your path.
ULTREYA literally translates as 'To go on'. This jubilant exclamation was said from one pilgrim to another in order to encourage themselves.
The origin of the exclamation within the movement dates from the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in the 1940s (when the Cursillo movement started). The pilgrims from Mallorca took up the expression "ULTREYA" to encourage one another, because the conditions along the way (in very bad trains, with not much food or water, etc.) were really very hard.
"I know all this because I have heard it from Mr. Sebastian Gaya a priest who was actually on that pilgrimage."
* Scotty's note: As related by word of mouth from Eduardo Bonnin, a founder of the movement, another appropriate translation is "Charge!".