DAY OF RECOLLECTION | January (Year A)

A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to seriously go deeper into his or her relationship with God. It is an opportunity to spend a couple of hours in prayer and conversation with God guided by meditation, spiritual reading, and an examination of conscience.

Following are a guide and resources from the St. Josemaria Institute to plan and make your own day of recollection this month:

I. To begin, download the Guide for Making a Day of Recollection: (View/Download PDF).

II. Listen online or download the meditation; or, read the meditation transcript (View/Download PDF):

III. Take time for silent prayer and spiritual reading:

• Pray the Holy Rosary
• Read and reflect on Scripture: Luke 2:15-38
• Recommended Article:
  • The Friendship of Jesus | Fr. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem.

IV. Reflect on the examination of conscience questions for this month:

• • Christ offers himself as an example of humility and meekness. Do I try to picture the peace and serenity he would radiate? Do I have recourse to him to help me to be patient in difficulties, great or small? Do I know how to rest in the Lord and to place my troubles trustingly in his hands?
  • Our Lord was ready to do things for people: the woman with the hemorrhage, Jairus, the Samaritan woman. Am I aware of what people expect of me? Do I take time to chat unhurriedly with my spouse and each of my children? Or with my siblings, roommates, coworkers, etc.? Do I listen to them?
  • In Baptism God takes possession of our souls and helps us to keep his commandment. “As I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). Do I show my love for my family in specific ways? Do I look after our home well, and do I try to ensure that everybody chips in, in accordance with his or her circumstances? Do I readily sacrifice myself for others?
  • “Going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Matt 2:11). Do I see Jesus in the needy, and do I try to help them? Have I over-spent during Christmas?

Act of Contrition: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

V. Conclude your time of prayer:
Make two or three concrete resolutions that you can give Our Lord for the month. Remember that the resolutions and themes from this time of prayer are meant to guide and accompany you throughout the month.

You may also want to download and use our Monthly Planner to write your resolutions, prayer intentions, daily plan of prayer, and special dates for the month. Then, once a week during the month, perhaps on Sunday, review your notes and monthly planner to refresh and remind yourself of the prayerful fruits and inspirations from your time with God.

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