← [[introduction-year-a-f2a|Introduction to Formation II, Year A]] | [[formation-II-a-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[session-01-f2a|Who John Is, Overview, and Terminology]] → # About the Syllabus Formation II, Year A Required Reading: Selected chapters from The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, ICS Publications, 1991. Selected chapters from Foley, Marc. The Ascent of Mount Carmel: Saint John of the Cross. Reflections. ICS Publications, 2013. The Holy Bible — Referred sections in the main text. Glossary of Terms: Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, pgs. 767-777. Additional Reading: Foley, Marc. John of the Cross: The Ascent to Joy. ICS Publications, 2002 The Contemporary Challenge of John of the Cross: An Introduction to His Life and Teaching. ICS Publications, 1995. The Collected Works of John of the Cross, ICS Publications, 1991. Dark Night, Book One, Chapters 1-8 (Imperfections of beginners) Hardy, Richard P. John of the Cross — Man and Mystic, ICS Publications, 2015. (This book describes how John himself practiced the spirituality he teaches. It shows John in a very human light, especially his fatherly love and care of others and his joyfulness.) Matthew, Iain. The Impact of God: Soundings from St. John of the Cross. Hodder & Stoughton, Note: “Additional reading” is intended for personal enrichment and is not required. ************* Note: The following syllabus (12 sessions) is not limited to academic study. Each session with its explanatory notes and essential points is the prescribed guideline for each candidate to follow throughout the year. “Although the Ascent is a masterpiece, it is important to concentrate on the content, the dynamic process, and not on the scholastic or a negative sounding language that some may find distracting. The reader must distinguish between what is said, and how it is said” (The Contemporary Challenge of John of the Cross, pg. 36). John’s writings are the expression of the Discalced Carmelite charism, as such it is important that each candidate takes time to read, meditate and experience the progression in prayer at his or her own pace. Explanatory note regarding “Essential points to discuss”: The candidates and formator are expected to read and reflect on the materials and ponder the essential points prior to the monthly formation sessions. However, it would not be practical to try to discuss every point during the session. It is preferable to choose several points for in-depth discussion. It is good practice to discuss those points which make a personal impression on the participants. Because formator participation is crucial to the candidates’ formation, good preparation is indispensable. After the opening prayer and the discussion of the legislations, formators are encouraged to take about 10-15 minutes at the beginning of the session to talk about the session 7 theme, the assigned reading, and a brief review of the points to be discussed before moving on to the discussion itself. Studying the OCDS Legislations: Unless the community is studying these materials together, it is appropriate for each session to begin with ten minutes of discussion on some selection of the OCDS legislations or documents of the Order, as determined by the local Council. 8 --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation II Year A: The Ascent of Mount Carmel* (US National Formation Program, 2024).