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Formation II Syllabus

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Goals during the formation period leading to the Definitive Promise (three years) shall be:

 

a. Prayer

i. Learn how to lead Morning and Evening Prayer

ii. Demonstrate a perseverance in mental prayer

iii. Demonstrate a perseverance in examen

iv. Adopt Mary as model of contemplative prayer

Primary Sources:

  • Interior Castle by St Teresa of Avila
  • The Spiritual Canticle by St John of the Cross
  • The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St John of the Cross
  • Redemptoris Mater

 

b. Community

i. Assume a communal sense of responsibility (i.e. willing to assume an office of service within the community)

ii. Demonstrate a willingness to submit to the communal good

iii. Cultivate fraternal relations with other members of the Order

Primary Sources:

  • Community and Growth by Jean Vanier (Ch. 4, 6, 7)

 

c. Apostolate

i. Demonstrate a commitment to the call of love

ii. Begin to assist in the community apostolate

Primary Sources:

  • Lumen Gentium
  • Gaudium et Spes
  • Christifideles Laici

 

d. Study

i. Continue the study of the texts of Carmelite saints

ii. Learn the history of Carmel from the Reform to Present

Primary Sources:

  • Journey to Carith: Sources and Stories of the Discalced Carmelites by Peter-Thomas Rohrbach
  • See also listing under Prayer for this period of formation

 

e. Promise

i. Continue an in-depth Study of the Constitutions and Statutes

ii. Develop a deeper understanding of the evangelical counsels

iii. Develop a deeper understanding of the beatitudes

iv. Develop a deeper understanding of how OCDS fit into the larger Order

v. Understand the seriousness of the life-long commitment

Primary Sources:

  • Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
  • OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province
  • OCDS Ritual
  • Book on beatitudes to be chosen at the Formation Director's discretion
  • *Beatitudes by Fr. Aloysius Deeney

 

 

* Should any of the required books go out of print, the Provincial Council will recommend a substitute. The Provincial Council may update articles (designated with * ) every 5 years to keep formation materials current. Updates will be distributed to all Local Councils at that time.