# Formation I, Year A – The Way of Perfection > [!NOTE] > OCDS Formation I, Year A > *The Way of Perfection* – St. Teresa of Ávila > Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites > Approved for use in the United States (2024) ## Table of Contents [[f1a-preparation|Preparation for Making the First Promise]] [[f1a-introduction|Introduction to Formation I, Year A]] [[f1a-essential-themes|The Essential Themes for Formation I, Year A]] [[f1a-session-01|Introduction — An Overview of the Life of St. Teresa of Ávila]] [[f1a-session-02|Prayer for Apostolic Purpose]] [[f1a-session-03|Foundation of Prayer and the Atmosphere Favorable to Meditation and Contemplation]] [[f1a-session-04|Foundation of Prayer (continued)]] [[f1a-session-05|Fundamental Attitudes and Convictions Necessary for Growth in Prayer]] [[f1a-session-06|Vocal and Mental Prayer]] [[f1a-session-07|Prayer of Recollection]] [[f1a-session-08|The Prayer of Quiet]] [[f1a-session-09|Unitive Life — Contemplation]] [[f1a-session-10|Eucharist — Sacramental and Spiritual Communion]] [[f1a-session-11|God's Merciful Love — Effects of Prayer]] [[f1a-session-12|Continual Search for Divine Union]] [[f1a-appendix-a|Essential Themes — Way of Perfection Study Edition Glossary]] [[f1a-appendix-b|Life Introduction — The Book of Her Life]] [[f1a-appendix-c|Biographical Timeline — St. Teresa of Ávila]] [[f1a-appendix-d|Meditation on the Song of Songs 7:3 — St. Teresa of Ávila]] [[f1a-appendix-e|Our First Duties as Carmelites]] [[f1a-appendix-f|Meditative Reading — Chapter 10 of Story of a Soul]] [[f1a-appendix-g|CCC 2697–2708 — Expressions of Prayer]] [[f1a-appendix-h|Excerpts from The Practice of the Presence of God]] [[f1a-appendix-i|Sayings of Light and Love — St. John of the Cross]] [[f1a-appendix-j|St. Thérèse's Act of Oblation to Merciful Love]] --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation I Year A: The Way of Perfection* (US National Formation Program, 2024).