← [[ocds-fh-01|Foreword]] | [[formation-handbook-toc|Table of Contents]] | [[ocds-fh-03|The Periods of Formation]] → # Introduction The reform of the Carmelite Order initiated by Our Holy Mother St. Teresa and her collaborator Our Holy Father St. John of the Cross is a living expression of the Carmelite charism in its original form. The friars, nuns and seculars of Carmel complement one another and bring fullness and dynamism to the Carmelite charism of prayer. The primary orientation of this handbook is towards the formators and Council members of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. Carmelite Seculars come from all walks of life — men and women; young and old; married and single. Each one hears the Word of God and responds to God's call to “meditate on the Lord's law, day and night” (Rule of St Albert 10). Ratio 69. A Secular Carmelite is: • a practicing member of the Catholic Church who, • under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, • and inspired by Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, • makes a commitment to the Order • to seek the face of God in prayer and service • for the good of the Church and the needs of the world. Realizing the importance of nurturing strong and mature communities of Carmelite Seculars, a proposal was made by the OCDS Generalate (Fr. Cannistra, General Superior and Fr. Debastiani, General Delegate to the OCDS) to develop a single formation program for all Carmelite Seculars in the USA. A task force consisting of two members from each province was created in 2017, resulting in one cohesive formation program from Aspirancy to the Definitive Promise. Recognizing the value of a program specific to human formation, additional facts and guidelines were added to the OCDS Program of Formation. The result is this handbook: Formation Handbook, the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. This handbook was developed to convey the essential elements of the OCDS Program of Formation and to assist the Councils and formators in understanding and appreciating the transformative process of human formation. Its content is based on the Christian anthropology of the human person who is “created in His own image and likeness.” To be human, at the most profound level, is to discover the ultimate purpose and value of inner transformation. The essence of formation and human participation are adequately explained under each subtitle of the handbook. Consequently, all levels of formation (Human, Christian and Carmelite) are interconnected and enhance the transformative process of the candidates. The communal life of study, prayer, and fellowship allows the Carmelite Seculars to “cherish their vocation and give thanks ‘always and everywhere’ for the gift that has been given them through the providence of God for their salvation and the good of the Church” (Ratio 90). “The [Carmelite] Secular life is more Church-centered. As the life of prayer grows it produces more fruit in the person’s personal life (growth in virtue) and in the person’s ecclesial life (apostolate)” (Ratio 89). “Contemplative prayer, for Saint Teresa, is at the heart of the Church and is essentially apostolic” (Ratio 91). Hence, the handbook is designed to appreciate the program of formation as a personal and communal journey of faith for the good of the Church and mankind. “…when the active works rise from this interior root, they become lovely and very fragrant flowers. For they proceed from this tree of God's love and done for Him alone, without any self-interest. The fragrance from these flowers spreads to the benefit of many. It is a fragrance that lasts, not passing quickly, but having great effect.” (St. Teresa of Avila, Meditations on the Song of Songs) --- **Source:** [[maps/bibliography#^biblio-ocds-fh|OCDS Formation Handbook]]