DAYS OF RECOLLECTION
Refueling the Spirit of Prayer and Community
Augustinian Recollect of the Western region gathers
for the May day of recollection at St. Augustine Priory in Oxnard, California.
In today's busy and stress-filled world how
often do we say: I want some time off! I have to take a break! I need
a vacation! One of the way we can "get away" is to break our daily routine
and spend time with God and his son, Jesus Christ. Traditionally we
have called this get away a retreat.
A retreat is a period of time, very often of a week's duration (the
Jesuits have a thirty-day retreat!) during which a person or group would
go to a quiet place - such as a monastery
or retreat house - for prayer and reflection. Often this spiritual experience
is guided by a retreat director who gives conferences, celebrates Mass,
and is available for spiritual direction. People can also have a "self-directed"
retreat in which, with a minimal amount of direction, they follow their
own path in the Spirit.
The Augustinian Recollects have a community
retreat once a year but every month they join in a day of recollection.
Each friar will mark his calendar, insuring that he free that day in
order to attend the day of recollection with his brothers. Each region
of our province: Western (Los Angles metropolitan region); Eastern (New
York metropolitan region) and Mexico (Mexico City) organize their own
regional day of recollection. Since the Mexico City region consists
in only one community it inevitably joins with friars from a sister
province: St. Nicholas of Tolentine.
The day of recollection consists of prayer
and meditation, study and discussion, socializing and renewal of friendships.
There is also sharing of a common meal. The time and manner of these
days will vary from region to region depending on circumstances. There
is a rotation in which each community will host a day and plan the activities
so that the friars can know and share the hospitality of each place
where we live and work.
Days of recollection are not only important
for religious. All the members of the Church (laity) can benefit from
these experiences of prayer and community. Often they are offered by
friars of our communities to people within the area who are looking
for a deeper and more mature faith. These days are most especially offered
in our Monasteries where there is more space and more resources available.
However, they are also given in our parishes, both for youth and for
adults. Those young people who are preparing for Confirmation often
take a day of preparation to help them understand the Sacrament they
are about to receive.
Our community days of recollection have been
very fruitful and positive experiences for us. We recommend that each
of you take a spiritual "get away" from time to time by attending a
day of recollection in your area.
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Prior Provincial, Fr. John Gruben (left) blesses
a bell to be used to call the friars to community acts at St. Augustine
Priory.
