← [[session-11-f1a|God's Merciful Love — Effects of Prayer]] | [[formation-I-a-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[appendix-a-f1a|Essential Themes — Way of Perfection Study Edition Glossary]] → # Continual Search for Divine Union “… if we unite the spirit of prayer to these external remedies and the interior means we have prescribed, we shall infallibly succeed. It is, indeed, evident that the practice of prayer is a most efficacious remedy against the passions.” – Ven. Fr John of Jesus and Mary (Instruction of Novices, part one, ch. 6.9) “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Required Reading: The Way of Perfection chapters 38, 39, 40, 41, 42; Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 1810 -1813. Explanatory note: Carmelite life is a continual search for divine union. But, while on this earth, the soul is surrounded by difficulties, temptations, and distractions. Fragile as the human person is, one truly needs protection from evil. Under this petition, Teresa wrote not only of temptation, but of trials in general. After outlining the meaning of this petition, Teresa explains some temptations into which one may fall if one is not alert. She was speaking here mainly to those who are striving to live a life of prayer. Essential Points to Discuss: • One does not ask to not have any temptations, but only not to be deceived by them (see 38:1). • The devil can cause delights and consolations in our senses and emotions. He tries to deceive us into believing they come from God, when it is the devil himself who is producing them. God can bring good out of this, “For, in being fed on that delight, such persons will spend more hours in prayer” (38:3). • As a safeguard, Teresa recommends humility. One should not think there is any right to special consolations in prayer. To believe otherwise opens one to being deceived. It is important to know that one should not desire spiritual consolations (see 38:4). • One temptation stemming from consolation is the belief that the virtues are already possessed when in reality they are not (see 38:5, 8). It would be a mistake to lean on presumed virtues as if they were a solid foundation. Virtues are a gift of God. “Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good” (CCC 1810). The Theological Virtues of faith, hope and charity “are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life” (CCC 1813). • Another hidden temptation is false humility. This causes disquiet over the gravity of one’s sins and can even make one give up Holy Communion. Whereas true humility does not disturb or disquiet or agitate, however great it may be, it comes with peace, delight and calm (see 39:1-2). 26 01.24 1-24-2024The Monthly Sessions • Likewise, some are tempted to excessive penances, and then tempted to believe they are more penitential than others and are doing something extraordinary. “Strive to obey … since the greatest perfection lies in obedience” (39:3). • Another dangerous temptation is self-assurance in the thought that one will in no way return to past faults and worldly pleasures (exaggerated confidence). Never proceed with such self-assurance and be on guard against the occasions of sin (see: 39:4). Selfassurance in beginners is very common and very dangerous. As souls gain selfknowledge they learn to rely more and more on God, and less and less on self. Even so, this temptation can creep into one’s mind at any level of spiritual maturity. “...however sublime the contemplation, let your prayer always begin and end with self-knowledge” (39:5). • Love will quicken one’s steps; fear (a cautious attitude) will make one careful to avoid falling along the way (see: 40:1). • “So, Sisters, strive as much as you can, without offense to God, to be affable and understanding in such a way that everyone you talk to will love your conversation and desire your manner of living and acting, and not be frightened and intimidated by virtue” (41:7). • “Certainly, it never entered my mind that this prayer (the Our Father) contained so many deep secrets; for now you have seen the entire spiritual way contained in it, from the beginning stages until God engulfs the soul abundantly from the fount of living water (contemplation), which He said was to be found at the end of the way. [And having come out of it – I mean of this prayer – I don’t know how to go any further]” (42:5). May the Lord be blessed and praised; From Him comes every good we speak of, think about, and do. Amen. — Teresa of Avila (WP 42:7) Assigned Meditative Reading: • Matthew 18:1-4 – “Unless you become as a little child...” • 1 Peter 5:5-9 – humility towards one another • Psalms 111:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” • Romans 12 – harmony in community life 27 At the end of this study of the Way of Perfection, the candidate should have: 1\. An appreciation of prayer consistent with the Carmelite understanding that prayer consists not in “method” but in deepening one’s relationship in love with God. “Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything” (St Teresa of Avila, Life 8.5). 2\. An understanding of the ecclesial value of prayer – that prayer has a value in itself to the life of the Church and the world, as well as being essential to personal sanctification. 28 Bibliography (includes required and additional/optional reading) OCDS Constitutions, Casa Generalizia Carmelitani Scalzi, 2003. Amendments: Fraternal Communion, III-B: 24a-e; Concerning Saint Joseph, January 7, 2014. Provincial Statutes The Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila, Vol. 1 Book of Her Life ICS Publications, Washington D.C. 2000. Although an excerpt is included in the appendices, because St Teresa’s autobiography is one of the essential works used for Carmelite formation, candidates are strongly urged to obtain their own copy of this volume. The Way of Perfection, St Teresa of Avila Study Edition. Prepared by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, ICS Publications, Washington D.C. 2000. The Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila, Vol.2, The Way of Perfection, Meditation on the Song of Songs, ICS Publications The Holy Bible A Biography of St Teresa such as: William Thomas Walsh, Saint Teresa of Avila. The Bruce Publishing Company, 1944. Marcelle Auclair, Saint Teresa of Avila. St Bede’s Publications, copyright 1988. The Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila. Vol 1, The Book of Her Life ICS Publications. Alvarez, Tomas. St. Teresa of Avila: 100 Themes on Her Life and Work. Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 2011 Story of a Soul, original or study edition, ICS Publications Collected Works of St John of the Cross, ICS Publications Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, The Practice of the Presence of God. Critical Edition. Translated by Salvatore Sciurba, OCD. ICS Publications, Washington, DC. 1994. Mark O’Keefe, OSB, In Context, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Their World, ICS Publications Catechism of the Catholic Church, available from various publishers and online at the Vatican website Required Reading for the Formator: Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen, OCD. The Way of Prayer: A Commentary on Saint Teresa’s Way of Perfection. Ignatius Press, 2017. In the Appendices “Biographical Timeline – St Teresa of Avila” “Our First Duties as Carmelites” (article) by Fr. David Centner, OCD 29 Meditations on the Song of Songs, by St Teresa of Avila Chapter X of Story of a Soul, by St Therese of Lisieux Prayer of a Soul Taken with Love from Sayings of Light and Love – St John of the Cross “Act of Oblation to Merciful Love”, by St Therese of Lisieux St Teresa, Book of Her Life Introduction Glossary from The Way of Perfection Study Edition, ICS Publications Selected spiritual maxims from The Practice of the Presence of God CCC 2697-2708, on vocal and mental prayer Chapter 6 of In Context __________________________________________________ Note to the formator: 1\. Encourage the candidates to read a biography of St. Teresa throughout the year. Recommendations are listed above under “Additional Reading” but others may be used. 2\. It is recommended to take 10 minutes at the beginning of each session to read and discuss a section of the OCDS Constitutions or Provincial Statutes throughout the year. Suggested readings are as follows: Constitutions: a. Following Jesus in the Teresian Secular Carmel (Constitutions 10-12) b. Witness to the experience of God (17-24) c. Formation in the school of Carmel (32-36) Provincial Statutes: d. Community life e. Carmelite Calendar – Feast days and fasting. Additional reading from the Constitutions and Statutes may be selected by the local Council, according to the needs of the community or the candidates. --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation I Year A: The Way of Perfection* (US National Formation Program, 2024).