OK, SO I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS
IS TRES DIAS A DENOMINATION?
NO. Tres Dias is not a substitute for church. Participation in Tres Dias cannot replace active, contributing membership in your church. Tres Dias can only help awaken the need for Christ in your life, or strengthen the walk you already have with Him. This awakening and strengthening takes on its fullest meaning when you strive to play a more committed and active role in your church community. Participants are expected, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to work toward transforming environments with the gospel of Christ.
ISN'T TRES DIAS A CULT
This is perhaps the most important question to ask. It is important that you be comfortable about with whom you’ll be spending a 3-day weekend.
If we can step back in history, the early Tres Dias participants felt that the weekends were such a blessing that they didn’t want to spoil what, to some of them, were very special parts of the weekend.
As a result, people began referring to “secrets” within the weekend that were not to be discussed with potential participants – again, for fear of ruining some of the weekend. Over time, and particularly with the advent of the Internet, stories of secrecy began to spread, resulting in rumors that Tres Dias must be a cult, since secrecy is one of the hallmarks of a cult.
Much effort has been made to be completely open. In addition, we know that team members who have participated in multiple weekends are just as blessed by the weekend activities as those who are participating for the first time. While some individuals continue to mistakenly perpetuate the idea of secrets, there are no secrets in Tres Dias.
In the interest of full disclosure, “The Essentials of Tres Dias” has been posted, for at least a couple of decades, on the Internet for anyone to see and review.
“The Essentials of Tres Dias” is the document that every Tres Dias community must adhere to in order to continue in Tres Dias. As you review the Essentials, you’ll note that each of the talks, the required meditations, the dynamics, etc. are all listed for anyone to see. There are no secrets in Tres Dias.
The easiest way to think about is as a beautifully wrapped present. I could tell you what is in the wrapped package, but I would rob you of opening the gift and experiencing it yourself.
WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY? I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING THAT OCCURS ON A WEEKEND CAN BE SHARED AFTER THE WEEKEND IS OVER
That’s not true at all! Any activity that occurs on a weekend can be shared freely. All that we ask is that nothing of a PERSONAL NATURE that was shared on a weekend should leave the weekend.
In many cases, the speakers will share some very personal and intimate aspects of their lives. They share their stories with the understanding that it won’t become gossip.
By the same token, other participants many choose to share something personal, so we owe it to them – and to you – to honor the confidentiality of personal sharing.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A TRES DIAS WEEKEND?
TRES DIAS is an adult (age 21 and over) weekend that concentrates closely on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. While TRES DIAS explores the basic Christian beliefs, it is best described as a spiritual encounter with Christ. Many who have attended the weekend have experienced a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Christ as they sense His love in a dynamic way.
WHAT HAPPENS ON A TRES DIAS WEEKEND?
The Spanish words TRES DIAS mean Three Days. TRES DIAS usually begins on a Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday evening. The TRES DIAS team leading the weekend is composed of former attendees of a TRES DIAS (or similar week-end like Cursillo [ker-see-yo] or Emmaus Walk) who have volunteered their time for weeks of preparation by working and praying together as a unit. Presented in Three Days are the basics of the Christian life and the meaning of living the Christian ideal and it’s application in our daily lives. TRES DIAS is centered around lay and clergy talks. Each talk is discussed by table groups. Interchange that develops in these discussions makes Christ’s teachings come alive. The basic atmosphere of TRES DIAS is one of love, joy, Christian fellowship, singing, laughing and worship. TRES DIAS makes future Christian experiences more fruitful because of the zestful seasoning it brings to all Christian living. TRES DIAS is attended only once in a lifetime, therefore, it is not a substitute for a retreat nor does it have the individual solitude of a retreat.
WHO MAY TAKE PART?
Tres Dias is open to all adult Christians, men and women, married or single, regardless of denomination. Just as Christ meets you at your point of need, so TRES DIAS is designed for those who desire to be strengthened in their faith and to be brought closer to Christ. You must be at least 21 years old at the time of the weekend. Laity and clergy alike are invited to join the community. Men and Women attend separate weekends. If you are married, the husband must attend first. Wives usually attend a few weeks later. Each attendee must not have attended a TRES DIAS, Emmaus, or Cursillo type weekend, and must be sponsored by someone who has.
Is there a Tres Dias like weekend for 21 and under?
YES! Please contact us if you are interested in attending.
HOW CAN I ATTEND A TRES DIAS WEEKEND?
Every participant must have a sponsor. A sponsor is defined as a person who has attended a Tres Dias (or similar) weekend. This sponsor will assist you in preparation for the weekend. If you know someone in your church who has attended a Tres Dias weekend, ask them to tell you more and how to get started. More than likely you have come to this site at the suggestion of your sponsor, if you are interested in attending a Tres Dias weekend, complete the application and give it to your sponsor. Be sure to completely fill in the candidate portion and sign the application.
Who can sponsor me?
Anyone that has attended a TRES DIAS or Emmaus weekend in the past. The best place to start is your church. If there’s no one in your church who has attended, reach out to us and we can explore options with you.
IS THERE A COST?
Yes. The cost for the weekend is $140.00 per participant. The cost includes three nights lodging, meals, and all materials necessary for the weekend. If financial assistance is needed, then please discuss with your sponsor when your application is submitted.
Who pays the application fee?
The Sponsor and the Participant will work this out, but the payment is due when the sponsor submits the application.
Having said that, CSRA Tres Dias feels that lack of funds should never be a reason for someone not to attend a weekend. As such, please reach out to us if you would like to be considered for a scholarship.
WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS (SUCH AS DIET OR MEDICATION)?
Be sure to let your sponsor know of these needs in advance. All special diets can be accommodated as long as the cooks know the details. If medication is needed during the night or at special times, members of the team will awaken you as needed and even bring a glass of water!