The monthly recollection

The members’ plan of life foresees a monthly recollection. Each monthly recollection covers a specific theme. The day of recollection (for celibate members) lasts from early in the morning to mid-afternoon. The evening of recollection (for married members) lasts three hours in the evening.

As occurs during the annual retreat, silence is observed for the length of the recollection, except during practices of piety. Celibate members take turns reading a spiritual book out loud during the meal as a way to remain silent.

A day of recollection for celibate members is held in an Opus Dei house and is made up of

• A meditation preached by a priest,
• Mass,
• Breakfast (in silence, no reading out loud),
• A talk delivered by one of those in assistance (or a Director who comes for that purpose),
• An examination of conscience (a list of questions read out loud in the chapel; with a different list of questions every month),
• A second preached meditation before the mid-day meal and
• A third mediation in the afternoon.

The recollection ends with a Eucharistic benediction. At some time during the day, individuals or little groups will pray the Way of the Cross, usually using the founder’s book of the same title. (Source: “Internal” document on the life and activities of celibate members, Rome, September 29, 1987 [original in Spanish])

The evening of recollection for married members consists of a meditation preached by a priest, a talk delivered by one of those in assistance, an examination of conscience (a list of questions read out loud in the chapel; with a different list of questions every month), and a second preached meditation. The recollection ends with a Eucharistic benediction.

Evenings of recollection are held either in Opus Dei houses or in local parishes. Contrary to recollections for celibate members, evenings of recollection are open events: members invite outsiders to attend. Once a quarter they are for married members only.

Members are encouraged to formulate specific resolutions from what they have heard during the monthly recollection. They will report those resolutions (and account for their progress) in the following weekly spiritual direction chats.