Recollets

The Recollects (French: Récollets) were a French reform branch of the Order of Friars Minor, commonly known today as the Franciscans (Latin: Ordo Fratrum Minorum). They used the post-nominal initials O.F.M. Rec. or O.M.R. Denoted by their gray habits and pointed hoods, the Recollects took vows of poverty and devoted their lives to prayer, penance, and spiritual reflection. Today, they are best known for their presence as missionaries in various parts of the world, most notably in early Canada.

Created as an Order at the end of the fifteenth century, the origin of the name "Recollects" is still debated; some historians attribute it to the Recollection houses, while others credit it to the orders’ practice of accepting only those who possessed the ability of recollection. In 1897 Pope Leo XIII officially dissolved the Recollects order and integrated it as a part of the Franciscan order, officially changing their name to Friars Minor.

The Recollect branch of the Friars Minor developed out of a reform movement of the Order which began in 16th-century Spain under figures such as Peter of Alcantara, where the followers of the reform were known as Alcantarines. It was observed by communities of friars in France in Tulle in 1585, at Nevers in 1592, at Limoges in 1596 and in Paris in 1603. The distinctive character of Recollection houses was that they were friaries to which brothers desirous of devoting themselves to prayer and penance could withdraw to consecrate their lives to spiritual reflection. At the same time, they were also active in many pastoral ministries, becoming especially known as military chaplains to the French Army.

The French Recollects had 11 provinces with 2,534 friaries by the late 18th century. The branch was suppressed during the French Revolution.

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