DAY OF RECOLLECTION | March (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: Matthew 17:1-9
• Recommended Article:
  • Lifting Up Our Eyes: The Transfiguration of the Lord | Fr. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem.
  • Companions in Surrender: Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of God | Fr. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem.

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

• The Gospel describes Joseph as “just,” that is, “holy.” Do I too try to seek holiness in everything I do (at work, at home, etc.)? Do I make an honest contribution to society? Do I work well, making a pleasing offering to God? Do I try to face difficulties positively? Do I ask my family for help when I need it?
• “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Matt 1:24). Do I ask God for light to know his will, and strength to fulfill it immediately?
• “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are!” (1 John 3:1). Do I respond to God’s love by making him known, and speaking about the sacraments? Do I strive to ensure that my thoughts, words and deeds reflect Christ’s love? Do I communicate to my friends, with a smile, the peace and serenity of a soul in constant union with Jesus?
• “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’” (Luke 9:35). Do I try to listen to Jesus in my prayer? Do I try to get to know him better through reading and meditating on the Gospel? Do I talk to him about my family and my friends? Are there any subjects I don’t pray about?

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.