# OCDS Ongoing Formation Volume I [[#Links]] ## Foreword 1 ## General Introduction... 3 The Purpose Of Ongoing Formation.3 Major Themes and Suggestions for Ongoing Formation... 4 ### General Principles...8 Responsibilities of the Local Council 8 Some Suggestions for Facilitators and The Participating Members 9 ## Part I.....12 ## The Word of God and the Rule of Carmel....12 ### Introduction... 12 An Introduction to the Rule of St. Albert... 15 The Carmelite Rule (c. 1207)...19 The role of St. Albert’s Rule in the Carmelite reform of St. Teresa 23 On the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.....26 ## Bibliography... 29 ## Read-along Material....30 The Word of God and the Rule of Carmel... 30 ## Church Documents......35 ## Introduction... 35 A brief guide to different papal documents.....36 God is Love (Deus Caritas Est).39 In Hope We Are Saved (Spe salvi facti sumus)..42 Charity in Truth (Caritas in Veritate)... 45 ## Bibliography... 48 ## Read-along Materials... 49 The Three Encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI.49 Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates....52 ## Finite and Eternal Being 58 Introduction and Biographical Sketch...58 Text of Edith Stein’s 1933 Letter to Pope Pius XI.....61 Conversion: “This is the Truth”... 63 Secure in the Hands of God – The Way of Faith 66 Interiority of the Soul – Discalced Carmelites’ Charism of Prayer...68 ### Recommended Books for Study and Reflection... 71 Books authored by Edith Stein....71 Biographies, books, and articles by others...72 ### Read-along Materials... 74 Homily of His Holiness, John Paul II, The Canonization of Edith Stein... 74 A Brief Timeline.78 ### Bibliography... 80 ## Indwelling Spirit of the Holy Trinity 81 ### Introduction... 81 The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity — What is the Trinity?...81 Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity — a Brief Biography... 82 Heaven in Faith (HF), Major Spiritual Writings, I..85 The Greatness of Our Vocation (GV), Major Spiritual Writings, II... 92 Last Retreat, Major Spiritual Writings, III... 94 Let Yourself be Loved, Major Spiritual Writings, IV....94 Elizabeth of the Trinity, The Complete Works, Vol. Two, Letters from Carmel 94 Concluding Session: The Message of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity......95 ### Bibliography... 97 ### Read-along Materials... 98 Father Saverio Cannistrà, Superior General, Letter to the Order.....98 Pope Francis’ Angelus (on the Trinity).....109 The Message of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity (by Margaret Dorgan) 111 ## The Practice of the Presence of God..114 ### Introduction.....114 Spiritual Maxims... 117 Letters of Brother Lawrence.120 Conversations... 125 ### Bibliography.....131 ### Read-along Materials.....132 Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614-1691) Fourth Centenary of his Birth.... 132 The Prayer of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection... 141 The Ways of Brother Lawrence....142 ## Community Formation 147 ### Introduction.....147 ## Specific Guidelines.....148 ## Topics and Themes.....150 ## Conclusion... 152 ## Part Ii...153 ## A Comprehensive List of Resource Materials for Ongoing AND/OR Community Formation... 153 ### Introduction.....153 ### Resource Materials....154 ### 1. Writings on Prayer in the Tradition of the Discalced Carmelites....155 St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)... 155 Read-along books/articles that explain and clarify the teachings of St. Teresa of Avila:...158 St. John of the Cross... 159 St. Thérèse of Lisieux... 161 Other Recommended Books on Prayer... 164 ### 2. Biographies, Life and Works of Carmelite Saints and Blesseds... 164 ### 3. History of the Order, Reform of Carmel and Foundations... 166 ### 4. History, Growth, and Contributions of the Secular Order... 169 ### 5. Legislative Documents of the Ocds....171 ### 6. Church Documents Pertaining to the Universal Church......172 Documents on The Call To Holiness.....172 Documents on Scripture 173 The Role of the Laity and Apostolic Commitment... 174 Documents on the Blessed Virgin Mary... 174 Document on St. Joseph 175 Document on the Universal Church....176 Document on Care for our Common Home... 176 7. Church Documents, letters, homilies, and General Audiences specific to the Discalced Carmelites....177 ### 8. Catechism of the Catholic Church 179 ### 9. Scripture Reading as Part of Carmelite Spirituality... 180 ### 10. Letters, Notices, and Messages Given by the Superior General of the Order, the General Delegate to the Secular Order, Provincial Superiors, Delegates, and Provincial Councils... 181 ### 11. Other Resource Materials That Complement Carmelite Spirituality... 182 ### Conclusion... 182 ### Copyright Notice – 2025... 184 # Links - [[ongoing-formation-1-general-introduction]] - [[ongoing-formation-1-general-principles]] - [[ongoing-formation-1-church-documents]] - [[ongoing-formation-1-finite-eternal-being]] - [[ongoing-formation-1-indwelling-spirit]] - [[ongoing-formation-1-practice-presence]] - [[ongoing-formation-1-community-formation]] --- --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Ongoing Formation Volume I: The Path of Mount Carmel, The Perfect Spirit* (US National Formation Program, 2025).