Recollection

Recollection, as understood in respect to the spiritual life, means attention to

the presence of God in the soul. It includes the withdrawal of the mind from
external and earthly affairs in order to attend to God and Divine things. It is the
same as interior solitude in which the soul is alone with God.
This recollection is twofold:
Active recollection may be acquired by our own efforts aided by the
ordinary grace of God. Thus any devout soul can acquire the habit of thinking
ofGod's presence and of fixing attention upon Him and his Divine perfections.
Passive recollection does not depend upon our own efforts, but is an
extraordinary grace infused by God, by which He summons together
the faculties of the soul and manifests His presence and His perfections; this
kind of recollection is classed by mystical writers as the first degree of
infusedcontemplation.
The first kind of recollection belongs to ascetical devotion and practice. It
is necessary for all who wish to attain Christian perfection. Without it, it is most
difficult to make progress in virtue. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the means
by which it may be acquired. These are:
silence and solitude, according to our state of life, keeping in mind, at the
same time, that one may be recollected amidst the duties of an active life;
the avoidance of distracting and dissipating occupations not dictated
by reason or required by necessity. Multiplicity of occupations is an obstacle
torecollection. Father Faber says that the man who undertakes too much is a
foolish man, if not a guilty one.
The frequent exercise of the presence of God. As recollection is itself an
application of the mind to the Divine presence within us, it is evident that the
shortest way to its acquisition is frequently to call to mind that our souls are
the temples of God.
A monthly recollection is like a mini-retreat. It is a time to stop and step
back a little from our daily life, to renew our relationship with God and
learn more about how to love others. It is an opportunity to reassess and
renew our resolutions, to bring a fresh outlook to our life.
Recollections are two hours in length. They offer reflections led by a
priest, a talk on some aspect of living a Christian life and time for
confessions.
The spiritual and doctrinal activities
Help them discover their Christian identity and purpose in life.

Allow them to discover that a peaceful, happy and exciting life is available to
them if they cultivate the right attitude and relationship with family and
friends and if they have the right perspective about their love life.

Motivate them to study and prepare for a successful life.

Help students make good decisions and empower them to live victorious lives
despite their difficulties in their environment (peer pressure, problems with
parents or siblings, etc.)

Introduce and invite young students to Youth for Christ to provide them a
wholesome peer group, which will still be a good alternative support
environment for them when they reach college.
The admonition may seem needless, but we are prone to forget God's works
and wonders. We have need to be stirred up to remembrance for four
purposes.

1. For the purpose of humility. We think more highly of ourselves than we
ought to think. With the lowly is wisdom. If wise, we were once foolish; if
justified, we were once condemned; if sons of God, we were once servants of
sin. Look to the rock from whence hewn.

2. For the purpose of gratitude. If affected by kindness flora our fellow
creatures, should we overlook our infinite Benefactor? We have no claims
upon Him and should be thankful for all His benefits. But herein is love.
Blessed be the God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people.

3. For the purpose of confidence. David argued from the past to the future.
Because Thou hast been my help, therefore under the shadow of Thy wings
will I rejoice. Here we have peculiar reason for encouragement. What were
we when He first took knowledge of us? Was the want of worthiness a bar to
His goodness then? Will it be so now? Is there variableness or shadow of
turning with Him? Is there not the same power in His arm and the same love
in His heart? Did He pardon me when a rebel, and will He cast me off now
that He has made me a friend? "He that spared not His own Son but
delivered Him up for us all," etc.

4. For the purpose of piety and zeal. How many round about you in the gall
of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity ready to perish? You know the state
they are in, and the blessedness of deliverance from it. You are witnesses of
what God is able and willing to do. Invite the prisoners of hope to turn to Him
you can speak from experience.