← [[introduction-f1a|Introduction to Formation I, Year A]] | [[formation-I-a-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[session-01-f1a|Introduction — An Overview of the Life of St. Teresa of Ávila]] → # The Essential Themes for Formation I, Year a Required Reading: the Way of Perfection, St Teresa of Avila. Purchase Either the Study Edition by Kieran Kavanaugh or Volume 2 of the Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila, Both Are Published by Ics Publications. Other Required Reading Is Included in the Appendices Assigned Meditative Readings: Various bible verses, passages from Carmelite writings, and other materials are listed. One day a week, the candidate chooses one of these for his/her mental prayer. Where there are more than four choices listed, the candidate may choose those that seem most appealing. Meditative readings are for private use only; they are not intended to be discussed in the sessions. Additional/Optional Reading: A biography of St Teresa, such as: Saint Teresa of Avila by Walsh, William Thomas, the Bruce Publishing Company, 1944 Saint Teresa of Avila by Auclair, Marcelle, St Bede’s Publications, copyright 1988 The Book of Her Life: Chapters: 1-10 and 23-40 in The Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila. Vol 1. ICS Publications St. Teresa of Avila: 100 Themes on Her Life and Work by Alvarez, Tomas. Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. ICS Publications, 2011. To help better understand some of the terms used by St Teresa, the glossary from The Way of Perfection Study Edition is included in the as Appendix A. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire glossary at the beginning of the year, and then refer to it again as listed in the “Additional Reading” recommendations. Other additional/optional reading materials are included in the appendices. Required Reading for the Formator: The Way of Prayer: A Commentary on Saint Teresa’s Way of Perfection, by Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen, OCD, Ignatius Press, 2017. The prayer quotes at the beginning of each session are for personal reflection. 6 01.24 1-24-2024 The Monthly Sessions --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation I Year A: The Way of Perfection* (US National Formation Program, 2024).