In the spiritual life we are called again and again to recollection, or to be recollected. What exactly does this mean?
The ordinary definition of recollect is to call to mind. And it is interesting to note that the ordinary meaning of someone being recollected is to be composed, calm, peaceful (which sound a lot like the fruits of the Holy Spirit).
What does recollection mean in the context of Christian spirituality? From the Catholic Encyclopedia it means “attention to the presence of God in the soul.”
That is a clear, concise definition. One thing that stands out – this is in a large part an act of faith. So we should pray for that grace. “Lord, increase my faith!”
And how does else does this play out in everyday life? And how does that play out in everyday life? To start with, our lives are divided between active and contemplative. Recollection takes on a different character in each sphere.
Recollection in the Active Life
The recollected person is ever mindful of God, even in the midst of the day’s activities. St. Alphonsus Liguori tells us “while our hands are occupied with external occupations, our heart can be fixed on God.” The Benedictine motto of Ora est Labora (prayer and work) speaks to the power of sanctifying the work of our hands.
Routine daily devotions can help us remain mindful of God during the day. We can say a small prayer at the top of each hour. If your carry your rosary beads or wear a crucifix or divine mercy medal, you can regularly touch it during the day to lift your mind to holy things. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours (at least the primary hinges of morning, afternoon and evening prayer) is a time-honored tradition for sanctifying the hours of the day.
St. Teresa of Avila, in the Way of Perfection, highlights the importance of recollection in our active life: “We must retire within ourselves even during our ordinary occupations. If I can recall the companionship which I have within my soul for as much as a moment, that is of great utility”
St. Alphonsus Liguori, as recounted in 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation, summarizes four primary ways of preserving recollection. Not only will each of these “close the door to sin”, they even more beautifully propel us in heroic virtue.
- Picture Our Lord Present with You. In all that you do strive to imagine our Lord present at your very side.
- Trust in God’s Omnipresence as an Act of Faith. Our faith tells us that God is present in all things. We can keep this in mind and pray for the grace to believe this, the Saint suggests by a regular short prayer such as “My God, I firmly believe that thou art here present”. We should also be calling on Mary, our Guardian Angel and other intercessors to help us be ever mindful of God.
- Seeing God in His Creatures. This includes recognizing God in every aspect of creation (particularly those that strike us as beautiful); calling to mind that all of creation is the work of God.
- Beholding God Within Our Very Selves. St. Alphonsus Liguori singles this out as “the most perfect method.” By this method we call to mind that not only is God with us externally, both “watching over us” and through His presence in all of creation, but that God resides in our soul. He quotes St. Teresa, “Those who withdraw into the little heaven of their soul, where He who created them is enthroned, can be certain that in a brief space of time they will have advanced far on the way to perfection.
The fourth method, most of all, crosses us over to the contemplative sphere of life, so let’s look at that.
Recollection in the Contemplative Life
When we enter into mental prayer it is common to begin with a process of recollection (this is discussed in the entry Meditation – A Simple Approach). The purpose is to retreat from the distractions of the world and draw closer to God; particularly His dwelling in our soul. Silence and solitude are key to this form of recollection, as they are to all of mental prayer.
The manner in which we engage in this recollection is unique to each person. It may be facilitated by returning to a memory of a deep spiritual experience of God’s presence, perhaps when on retreat. It may be returning, in gratitude, to a moment of great joy, like the birth of a child, and recognizing God’s love for us through that event. It may be through a scripture passage that is dear to us. St. Ignatius reminds us that God gives gifts that are meant to last and that we can go back to these moments of grace and “taste” them anew. St. Bernard strongly recommended the simple repetition of the holy name of Jesus. Simple attention to our environment can also aid recollection, such as music (that is part of the mission of Inspiring Songs…), lighting a candle and gazing on a crucifix or sacred art.
This form of recollection is referred to as acquired recollection, because we can acquire it, to an extent, by our own efforts of will and intellect (God’s grace is still required to transform a dry memory into a very real awareness of His loving presence). It may also be referred to as active recollection, even though it is in the context of meditation and contemplation, because it requires our own spiritual activity.
There is also a passive form of recollection referred to as infused recollection. This is part of the path into contemplative prayer, wherein God infuses the soul with awareness of his presence completely independent of our efforts.
Also recall that it is fruitful to complete your session of mental prayer with a resolution. Often this resolution is a concrete way that we can remain recollected throughout the day (“I resolve that for today I will try to recognize each person I come in contact with as a child of God”).
Here again we see why the contemplative life is critical to the active life. The more that we encounter God, and the deeper we enter into relationship with Him through mental prayer, the more readily we can maintain a state of being recollected in all aspects of our life.
Going Deeper
Recollection is such an integral part of our spiritual life that it isn’t often explicitly discussed in the great works of Christian spirituality, similar to how a book on exercise doesn’t constantly remind us to keep breathing. Taking air into our lungs is indispensable to all other physical activity and just so being mindful of God should be integral to everything we undertake in life. But all great works on Christian spirituality inherently discuss recollection even if not by name. Here are some sources that do have more specific treatment of recollection:
St. Alphonsus Liguori, The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation. The Saint’s writing on recollection is among the most complete and consolidated of all spiritual masters.
St. Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle. The presentation of the 4th Mansions gives treatment of infused recollection (this is also covered in Fr. Dubay’s Fire Within).
Ralph Martin, The Fulfillment of all Desire. Dr. Martin’s writing mentions recollection explicitly in several places and contexts, and the spirit and intent of recollection is captured throughout this excellent book.