# 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 [Foreword](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-foreword.pdf) [Preparation for Making the First Promise](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-preparation.pdf) [Introduction to Formation I, Year A](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-introduction.pdf) [The Essential Themes for Formation I, Year A](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-essential-themes.pdf) [Session 1, Introduction — An Overview of the Life of St. Teresa of Ávila](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-01.pdf) [Session 2, Prayer for Apostolic Purpose](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-02.pdf) [Session 3, Foundation of Prayer and the Atmosphere Favorable to Meditation and Contemplation](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-03.pdf) [Session 4, Foundation of Prayer (continued)](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-04.pdf) [Session 5, Fundamental Attitudes and Convictions Necessary for Growth in Prayer](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-05.pdf) [Session 6, Vocal and Mental Prayer](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-06.pdf) [Session 7, Prayer of Recollection](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-07.pdf) [Session 8, The Prayer of Quiet](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-08.pdf) [Session 9, Unitive Life — Contemplation](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-09.pdf) [Session 10, Eucharist — Sacramental and Spiritual Communion](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-10.pdf) [Session 11, God's Merciful Love — Effects of Prayer](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-11.pdf) [Session 12, Continual Search for Divine Union](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-session-12.pdf) [Appendix A, Essential Themes — Way of Perfection Study Edition Glossary](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-a.pdf) [Appendix B, Life Introduction — The Book of Her Life](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-b.pdf) [Appendix C, Biographical Timeline — St. Teresa of Ávila](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-c.pdf) [Appendix D, Meditation on the Song of Songs 7:3 — St. Teresa of Ávila](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-d.pdf) [Appendix E, Our First Duties as Carmelites](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-e.pdf) [Appendix F, Meditative Reading — Chapter 10 of Story of a Soul](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-f.pdf) [Appendix G, CCC 2697–2708 — Expressions of Prayer](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-g.pdf) [Appendix H, Excerpts from The Practice of the Presence of God](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-h.pdf) [Appendix I, Sayings of Light and Love — St. John of the Cross](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-i.pdf) [Appendix J, St. Thérèse's Act of Oblation to Merciful Love](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-f1a/f1a-appendix-j.pdf) --- ![[maps/bibliography#^biblio-ocds-f1a|OCDS Formation I Year A]]