AGUSTINIAN RECOLLECTS. — In the 16th century, while among the Augustinians of Spain that reform began which gave rise to the Recollect Order (v.) of St. Augustine, the Augustinian nuns likewise felt the need for a more austere and rigorous life. The first monastery of the Recollects was that founded at Madrid in 1589 by the Blessed Alfonso de Orozco. An active supporter of the reform was also the Blessed John de Ribera, Archbishop of Valencia, who in 1597 opened at Alcoy a monastery for the Recollects of stricter observance. Another and more energetic promoter of the reform was the Venerable Mariana of St. Joseph, who, with the help of Fr. Antolínez, established a firm basis for a more restricted life in the monastery at Eibar. From these three centers the Recollects soon spread throughout Spain, and today they have about 40 houses. They depend on the local bishops.
Enciclopedia Cattolica