← [[ocds-fh-03|The Periods of Formation]] | [[formation-handbook-toc|Table of Contents]] | [[ocds-fh-05|The Formation Team]] → # The Principles and Purpose of Formation It is important to keep in mind the fundamental principles that guide the process of formation and the philosophy behind the program of formation for the members of the Secular Order of 6 Discalced Carmelites. There is — and there must always be — a general direction that guides the formation of the OCDS. The following are the basic components of these guiding principles: • “Number 32 of the Constitutions states that the purpose of formation is ‘to prepare the person to live the spirituality of Carmel.’ This sentence of the Constitutions gives a very important emphasis to the purpose of formation, indicating those elements that are not the priorities in the program of formation. The purpose of the formation program is not to produce experts in Carmelite spirituality, nor to obtain a university degree in spirituality or spiritual theology” (Ratio 4). • “The purpose is to ‘prepare the person.’ The stress on the person who is to be prepared helps the formation community understand that the process must be directed to the individual in a concrete way. The people who come to the Secular Order of Carmel are, with few exceptions, people who have many commitments, especially with families and with work. The program of formation must be flexible enough to adapt to the circumstances of each person who is to become a member” (Ratio 5). • “With sincere interest in the teachings of the Church and the spirituality of our Carmelite Saints, Secular Carmelites seek to be men and women who are mature in the practice of their faith, hope and love, and in their devotion to the Virgin Mary. They commit themselves to deepening their Christian, ecclesial and Carmelite life. Christian formation is the solid basis of Carmelite and spiritual formation. Through the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Church documents, Secular Carmelites receive the necessary theological foundation” (Const. 33). • “Carmelite identity is confirmed by formation in the Scriptures and lectio divina, in the importance of the liturgy of the Church, especially the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, and in the spirituality of Carmel, its history, the works of the Order’s saints, and formation in prayer and meditation” (Const. 35). • “With a progression suitable to the various stages, the candidate should get a clearer idea of how important, indeed necessary, our charism is for [one’s] personal life…” (Ratio 23). • “…The primary role of the person responsible for formation … is to accompany those in formation, to help them put into practice what they learn through the process of formation. The information they are given through reading and classes is meant to be a help to the person’s spiritual growth” (Ratio 7). • “The spirituality of the Discalced Carmelites has a sound intellectual foundation. As members of the Order, Secular Carmelites are called to represent and give witness to a mature and authentic spirituality. Any person who wants to be a Discalced Carmelite must be a person with an interest in learning from the teachers of Carmel. There are three [Carmelite] Doctors of the universal Church, Teresa, John of the Cross, and Therese” (Ratio 78). • “There is an intellectual aspect to the formation of a Discalced Carmelite. There is a doctrinal basis to the spirituality and identity of one who is called to the Order. As the friars and nuns, the seculars too ought to have a good intellectual and doctrinal formation since as members of the Order they represent and give witness to a mature and profound spirituality” (Ratio 79). 7 • “Both initial and ongoing formation in the teachings of Teresa and John of the Cross, help to develop in the Carmelite Secular a human, Christian and spiritual maturity for service to the Church” (Ratio 54). Ratio 13. Human Formation develops our: • ability for interpersonal dialogue, mutual respect and tolerance • readiness to the possibility of being corrected and to correct others with serenity • capacity to persevere in our commitments Ratio 14. Christian Formation enhances our: • capability to receive the necessary theological foundation by means of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Church Documents • appreciation of our baptismal consecration • zeal for conversion, Christian commitment and holiness of life • fervor to live the demands of following Jesus by taking part in His saving mission in unfolding our prophetic, kingly and priestly calling. Ratio 15. Carmelite Formation confirms our Carmelite identity in the: • study and spiritual reading of the Scriptures and in the practice of Lectio Divina • importance of the liturgy of the Church, especially the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours • spirituality of Carmel, its history, the writings of the Order’s Saints • formation in prayer and meditation • formation for the apostolate based on the teaching of the Church and on understanding our role as Seculars in the apostolate of the Order Further thoughts: The heart of the vocation is the commitment to strive to follow Christ in His poverty, chastity, obedience and the beatitudes (the Promise), the opening of self to be transformed in Christ, perseverance in seeking God in prayer for the good of the Church and the world, a growing desire to serve, and commitment to one’s community and the Order. The readings and discussions are part of the means of formation. Though important, they are not the whole picture. Candidates are also formed by the example, conversation, and companionship of the other members of the community. Their deeper transformation is from the action of the Holy Spirit and depends very much on their openness to the grace of God. “Always remember that we are not assembling Carmelites. We are forming Carmelites. I think it becomes apparent when a Formation Director says to the Council, ‘this person, I think, really has it.’ … It works out with practice. The 8 criterion is not set, because it’s not objective, in terms that it is not a test that you can pass or fail on. It is more under the influence of the Holy Spirit” (Fr. Aloysius Deeney, Welcome, pg. 107). --- **Source:** [[maps/bibliography#^biblio-ocds-fh|OCDS Formation Handbook]]