Draft:Effetá

Effetá

Formation	2013
Origins	Colombia
Official language	Spanish
Owner	Led through volunteers who have previously partaken in Effetá themselves
Affiliations	Cristian Catholic Church
Website	https://retiroeffeta.org

Effetá, as detailed by their official website. Is a Cristian Catholic organisation designed for the younger generation (14-29), who wish to have a personal encounter with God. Effetá retreats are mainly carried out in Spain though originated in Colombia.

Effetá offers weekend long retreats in which the members sing, pray, and form part of a community that allows them to find a deeper sense of self. As a participant, you are only allowed to attend once. It aims to allow participants to disconnect from the outside world, characterised by the lack of phone use, claiming this allows individuals to connect with God. It has a sister organisation, EMAUS, which organises these same types of retreats for older individuals who wish to participate in this religious practice.

Once the retreat is over, family and friends are invited to take part in a celebratory mass, where participants dress in white while celebrating their arrival back to their normal lives with newfound values. However, there is a culture of secrets, as participants are asked not to reveal what activities they partook in. The goal of this is to maintain a mysterious aura, encouraging as many individuals to partake in these religious activities.

Meaning of Effetá and History

Effetá is a Hebrew word meaning "Ábrete" or “Open yourself up”. The use of this word begins in Colombia, as a name for these spiritual retreats, eventually reaching Spain in 2013. It is referenced in the Bible, in Marcos 7, 33-34 (Spanish referencing)

"Él, apartándolo de la gente a un lado, le metió los dedos en los oídos y con la saliva le tocó la lengua. Y, mirando al cielo, suspiró y le dijo: ‘Effetá’, esto es: ‘Ábrete’». "

Translated this reads: "Him (Jesus), removing him from those around him, stuck his fingers in his ears, and with his saliva he touched his tongue. And, looking up at the sky, sighed and said: 'Effetá', that is: 'Open yourself up´".

Meaning of this extract:

According to a religious source which analyses this verse, we cannot fully know what the man in question is thinking, but Jesus demonstrates a special gentleness with him. Throughout the Bible, many individuals are healed when touching Jesus, often asking for these benefits, forgetting their personal relationship with God. However, this extract seeks to impart the belief that God is much more than just his interactions with us, highlighting where he works from.

While having its roots in Colombia, where the first retreats took place, Effetá retreats largely take part in Spain now, where different churches lead their own individual groups. There are two categories of participants: Firstly, “Caminantes”, Spanish for “Walkers”. Caminantes are those who are taking part in Effetá for the first time. The second category is “Servidores” or “Servers”, those who have already participated and are now sharing their experience with new members.

There is no large organisation or Business Entity that is in charge of coordinating each and every retreat, instead, there is a basic guide of how the retreat must be prepared and the dynamics that must be upheld. Effetá is not a lucrative business. Each of the retreats is self funded by the participants, ranging from 50-200€ per person.

(add more history and religious content, research)

Individual Changes when leaving the Retreat

While religion is a product of ones cultre, upringing and enviornmental factors, many individuals claim they are deeply changed by their experiences when returning from their participation in Effetá. Participants report changes in their ways of expressing themselves and their manner of speech — Mainly referring to newfound topics of conversation and new interests. Some acquaintances have reported "total change" of participants. These statements are not to be taken literally.

These phenomenons have led to studies being referenced when observing behaviour changes. Notably, the Colegio Oficial de Psicología de Cataluña (Cataluñas Psychological School), is mostly mentioned. Studies indicate possible cult-like behaviour in some of these religions movements.

(ADD MORE ON THIS FROM OFFICIAL SOURCE)

Due to the small numbers of converts becoming nuns or religious believers post-retreat, the Cult allegations have become a popular belief. Conversely, others argue the retreat merely serves as a device for self improvement, as many report ending the process not believing in God.

Rise to Popularity (Social Media impact)

Many sources note the rise to popularity of this movement through the use of social media like Instagram and TikTok. With many publications noting the resurgence of faith as a phenomenon affecting the youth through music and social media acting as a tool of connection https://variacionxxi.com/2024/11/11/hakuna-effeta-catolicismo-jovenes-retiros-tiktok-redes-viral-religion/)

Similar Organisations and Cultural reach reach

• emaus (Over 30 individuals)

• Hakuna

Hakuna is a music group that makes religious music. While not affiliated with Effeta, their hit songs, like Huracán (link) have created a “fun and youthful way to spread religious ideologies with the youth”. This group has quickly rosen to stardom, filling up the WiZink Center and touring all over Spain. They are pertinent to Efeta, as their songs are implemented across various retreated, and often go hand in hand with social media depictions of Effeta. (Using their music as background information).

Impact

• How many people hace gone?

Famous People who have gone

Por Emaús han pasado famosos y políticos, entre ellos, la marquesa de Griñón e influencer, Tamara Falcó y la expresidenta del PP del País Vasco María San Gil. Este encuentro, dirigido a mayores de 30 años, también se celebra un fin de semana. La dinámica es similar a la de Effetá: se recomienda el secretismo y se apuesta por la desconexión digital. “Consiste en un montón de charlas y testimonios de personas que han tenido unas vidas complicadas y han encontrado a Dios o se ha apoyado en él”, explica Jimena (nombre ficticio), que acudió a uno de estos retiros. https://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/secretismo-euforia-detras-effeta-retiro-catolico-guay-jovenes-volvio-persona_1_10081753.html)

• Is it spreading?

It is currently in Panama, Venezuela, Cuba, Peru, Mexico and The US