# OCDS Ongoing Formation Volume II ## Human Transformation and Union According to the Writings of St. John of the Cross Ongoing Formation Volume II National Formation Program Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Approved for use in the United States. Copyright © 11-02-25 California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph, Oklahoma Semi-Province of St. Thérèse, Washington Province of the Immaculate Heart of Mary The Formation Program materials may be duplicated if they are not sold for profit. Any changes to these documents are strictly prohibited. ## Dedication This volume of ongoing formation is sincerely dedicated to: Father Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, for introducing the new translations of the major writings of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross to the English-speaking world and for devoting his entire life to teaching the essence of their writings by means of study guides and other major resources. Father Saverio Cannistra, OCD, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelite Order (2009-2022), for planting the first seed of an idea to develop a single formation program for all Carmelite Seculars in the USA. Father Miguel Marquez Called, OCD, current Superior General of the Discalced Carmelite Order (2022-), for his encouragement and support. Father Alzinir Debastiani, OCD, (2016-2022) and Father Ramiro Casale, OCD, (2022-) General Delegates to the OCDS, for their unwavering support and assistance to the members of the Task Force in creating the OCDS National Formation Program. The Friars of the Order of Discalced Carmelites in all three US provinces, for guiding and supporting the communities of the Secular Carmelites. The combined efforts of these dedicated Friars are very much appreciated. ## Contents ### [FOREWORD, 1](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) ### [Introduction, 3](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) Major writings, 3 Minor works, 4 Why read John of the Cross today? 5 Explanation of the nature of union with God: 7 Loving knowledge (wisdom) of God, 7 How should I decide which of John’s books to read first?, 9 ### [Formation Guidelines 12](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) Active Night of the Sense: 12 Active Night of the Spirit:.12 Faith, Hope, and Love:  ....13 ### [THE ASCENT OF MOUNT CARMEL, Book Three 16](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) Purification of the Memory.........17 Natural apprehensions: Purification of the memory by the practice of hope 17 Supernatural apprehensions; Purification of the memory by the practice of hope 20 The benefits obtained through the rejection of the apprehensions of images and forms 22 Purification of the Will.....24 Joy in temporal goods – the first emotion of the will 24 Natural goods: The vanity of willful joy in natural goods, and the method of directing oneself through them in God 29 Purgation of sensory goods 32 Purgation of Moral Goods 34 Supernatural goods, the fifth kind of good in which the will can rejoice, and how joy in them must be directed to God through the purgation of this joy 37 Purgation of joy in spiritual goods 39 Joy in spiritual goods. Continues the discussion of motivating goods. Oratories and dedicated places of prayer. 42 Bibliography ....43 ### [THE DARK NIGHT LEADING TO GOD’S ACTION, an Introduction (Dark Night – Books One and Two)... 44](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) ### [THE DARK NIGHT – BOOK ONE 47](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) The Imperfections of Beginners 47 Beginning of the exposition of the Dark Night. Signs of Passive Night and Purgation. 52 “Fired with love’s urgent longings – ah, the sheer grace! I went out unseen.” 56 ### [THE DARK NIGHT – BOOK TWO 60](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) “The One Dark Night” 60 Contemplative Purgation 62 Impact of Contemplation 65 “Fired with love’s urgent longings” 68 The deepening of transformation 71 Departing in “disguise” – “in darkness and concealment, my house being now all stilled” 76 Bibliography ....78 ### [GLORIFICATION — Understanding the concepts of Transformation and Union........... 79](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) ### [THE SPIRITUAL CANTICLE........ 81](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) Stanzas 1-21 81 Stanzas 22-25 84 Stanzas 26-30 88 Stanzas 31-35 94 Stanzas 36-40 96 Bibliography... 104 ### [THE LIVING FLAME OF LOVE.. 105](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) Introduction... 105 Stanza 1 commentary 1-17 108 Stanza 1 commentary 18-36 111 Stanza 2 commentary 1-15 112 Stanza 2 commentary 16-20 113 Stanza 2 commentary 21-36 114 Stanza 3 commentary 1-17 116 Stanza 3 commentary 17-29 119 Stanza 3 commentary 30-50 120 Stanza 3 commentary 67-85 123 Stanza 4 commentary 1-17 124 Bibliography... 125 ### [Appendix..126](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) ### [Task Force Completion and Appreciation.. 129](https://assets.alittlepilgrim.org/pdf/ocds-formation/formation-ongoing-volume-2.pdf) # Links - [[fo2-ascent-3]] - [[fo2-the-dark-night-intro]] - [[fo2-the-dark-night-1]] - [[fo2-the-dark-night-2]] - [[fo2-glorification]] - [[fo2-spiritual-canticle]] - [[fo2-living-flame]] - [[fo2-appendix]] --- ![[maps/bibliography#^biblio-ocds-on2|OCDS Ongoing Formation Volume II]]