THE BIRTH OF THE

AUGUSTINIAN
RECOLLECTION
1. The AR was born (1588 in Toledo, in the Provincial Chapter of
the Augustinians, Province of Castille) not to reform the
Augustinian Order in Spain (because the OSA in Spain was
reformed by the OSA Observantines)
2. The AR was born out of the desire of the OSA observants for a
more austere, more perfect way of life.
3. Prelude
a. Lobbying: Some Augustinian observants lobbied for this
kind of life through the confessor of King Philip II, Fr.
Diego Chavez, OP
b. The OSA Prior General for the canonical visit- Chapter of
Toledo- Province of castile, Prior General Gregorio
Potroccini del Montefarro , OSA – March 18, 1587
c. December 5, 1588 Chapter of Toledo, under King Philip II-
official declaration of the birth of the Augustinian
Recollects
Premises
d. Application- the monastery of Talavera dela Reina- cradle of

Augustinian Recollection

e. AR Constitution- Forma de Vivir (1589) by Fray Luis de Leon,

OSA
The same Chapter entrusted the redaction of norms that would govern the kind
of life of this new group of Recollects to the provincial council. The council, in
turn, delegated said work to Fray Luis de León and Jerónimo de Guevarra
(+1589). 

Forma de Vivir regulates the life of the Recollect convents

The Forma de Vivir has 14 chapters, which were approved by the Province of

Castille on the 17th of September 1589.
Pope Clement VIII approved it later, in 1597.
Prayer and common life gave Forma de Vivir cohesion and meaning.
The life of the first recollects was oriented to foment every thing that will keep
the religious “ablaze with the love of God” and make him remember that his
principal “goal and purpose” is to love God. What was sought for was greater
intimacy with God, in such a way that the diverse activities of the day are not
obstacles, but elements that will facilitate and promote continual dialogue of the
religious with God.
Prayer and Retirement
Everything in the recollect life ought to invite to recollection, to interior
retirement. Exterior retirement is converted into an element that facilitates and
favors interior retirement.
Daily two-hour mental prayer
Community Life
Prayer, following authentic Augustinian tradition, opens the religious to the
encounter with God in the brother within the community.
Ascetic Life
The Forma de Vivir is imbued with ascetical norms and dispositions,
from fasting and mortifications to disciplines, silence and the
retirement. The Forma de Vivir, child of its own time, puts great
interest in underscoring these ascetical elements, but without losing
sight of its ordinance toward the life of prayer and community, where
essentially the Augustinian accent is found.
Charismatic Referece
In spite of the four hundred years in between us and the text of
the Forma de Vivir, its spirit is alive and its essence remains in force as
charismatic reference for all Augustinian Recollect communities..
The Spirit of the Forma de Vivir
A. Idea and Concept: “Recollection”
• Spirit or exercise of prayer
• Penitence
• Continuous conversion
• Personal and communal
B. The value of Peace and harmony within the community
C. Poverty- individual and communal
D. Maintain the Dignity of Divine Worship
• Mass
• Liturgy of the Hour
The Spirit of the Forma de Vivir
E. Penitence leading to conversion
F. Attention and care for the sick
G. Intellectual and Spiritual Formation of the Religious
H. Observance of Interior and Exterior Silence (observed at the
Talavera dela Reina Monastry-1588)

October 19, 1589 1st Recollect Community established