Formation

Home

Clarion Subject Index
Index History
Report Errors
Request For Articles

Flower of Carmel
Our Apostolate
History
Photos
Formation
About Us
Thankful Threads

Discalced Carmelite Coat of Arms

Flower of Carmel Formation Program

Guidelines For Formators
Prelude To Aspirancy
Aspirancy Program
Five Year Formation Program
On-going Formation

Formation of a Carmelite Heart
Guidance sayings of Sr. Michael Ann Cladek, OCD, of the Beacon NY Carmel,
as excerpted from the journals of Elizabeth Pantas, OCDS and their correspondence* - 1977 to the present

1. Each candidate is unique, with different areas of strength and weakness and learning styles. Formation needs therefore vary, and thus the formator must be flexible and seek to adapt the material to the needs of the candidate, without sacrificing content to be taught or supplemented.

2. Formation is companioning, not just informing. Thus there must be time allowed for dialogue and application of principles to the candidate’s personal life.

3. In imparting information about Carmel and thru reading assignments, we need to be AWARE of Carmelite ATTITUDES. We are teaching a way of life, of harmonizing Carmel and our secular state of life. Nuances or emphases of Carmelite focus will shift throughout a candidate’s life.

4. The spirit of the 1979 Rule of Life and of other earlier formation texts is the same as that in the Constitutions. It may be applied differently according to our time in history and the needs of the Church.

5.The formator needs to be available for phone calls, email, and face-to-face encounters according to genuine need.

6. The formator needs to pray for the candidates in his or her care for the power of the Holy Spirit to open minds and hearts. Begin sessions with prayer to Our Lady, Flower of Carmel.

7. TRUST THE PROCESS: over time each one will get what he or she needs. It won’t happen all at once. Keeping the Rule and Constitutions is a growth process. Formation is a building up of a deepening body of knowledge and experience. It is a laying down of penetrating, enlivening, and expansive layers, and there is always more.

8. Each formator is unique; each person’s way of imparting information and companioning is different. Let the Holy Spirit be creative in how you teach and companion. We have different gifts and the community needs them all!

6 consecutive visits. To be given to or asked of visitors on the 2^nd or 3rd visit

1. Handout: Application for Entrance into the Aspirancy Form.

2. Request - Current Baptismal Certificate/Profession of Faith (within one year) - if applicable.

3. Letter/Phone call - to current Pastor stating candidate is in good standing - if applicable, to be done by Formation Director.

4. Request - Letter of Intent (why they feel called to Carmel) – due by 5^th visit.

5. Handout: “Handbook for Aspirants” by Ruby Alexander, OCDS.

6. Handout: Copy of Flower of Carmel Attendance Policy.

7. Acceptance into Aspirancy (to be filled out by President and copy mailed to central office) if candidate is accepted

12 months

Course of Study*

1. Overview of Carmelite Spirituality 1: Charism
             Carmelite Spirituality in the Teresian Tradition Chap 2 “Characteristics of Carmel” by: Paul-Marie of
                      the Cross, OCD
             Welcome to Carmel Chap 3 “The Teresian Charism” by: Michael Griffin, OCD
                                            Chap 8, pp 81-82 “Significance of the Carmelite Coat of Arms” by: Marie Janinek,
                                                       OCDS
             "Carmelite Spirituality in General” by: Matthias Montgomery, OCD

2. History of the Order
             “Carmelite Identity in the Rule of St. Albert” by Elizabeth Korves, OCDS
             "The Rule and Constitutions" by Aloysius Deeney, OCD
             “History of the Order” by Joseph Neilson, OCD
              “A Touch of OCDS History” by Elizabeth Korves, OCDS
              Rule of St. Albert (online @ www.ocdswashprov.org) and in Flower of Carmel library
                    SUPPLEMENTAL (not required)
              Journey to Carith by Rohrbach, OCD, in Flower of Carmel library
              “Spiritual Guidance: A Coat of Many Colors” by Egan, TOCarm, tape in Flower of Carmel library

3. Nature of OCDS
              “The 6 M’s” by Aloysius Deeney, OCD
              “Study and the OCDS” by Aloysius Deeney, OCD
                     (both of the above are online @ www.ocd4ocds.blogspot.com pp.43-54)
              Welcome to Carmel Chap.1 “Welcome to Carmel” by Peggy Wilkinson, OCDS in Flower of Carmel library
              “The Discalced Carmelite Third Order” by Adrian Cooney, OCD

4. Overview of Carmelite Spirituality 2: Community
Fr. Deeney’s Address: National Congress, St. Louis, Sept. 2005 (CD in Flower of Carmel library)
Dr. Nancy Thompson's Address: National Congress, St. Louis, Sept. 2005 (CD in Flower of Carmel library)

5. Liturgy of the Hours
             Liturgy of the Hours “General Introduction”
             “Liturgy of the Hours, Some Reflections” by Theodore Centala, OCD
             “The Divine Office” by Bill Healy, OCD
             Practicum on how to use the Liturgy of the Hours (as needed)
                  SUPPLEMENTAL (not required)
             “The Prayer of the Church” by Barry, OCD, in Flower of Carmel library

6. Saints of the Order
           Carmelite Spirituality in the Teresian Tradition Chap. IV, by Paul-Marie of the Cross, OCD
            I Want to See God Part. I Chap. V “The Good Jesus”
                  SUPPLEMENTAL (not required)
            Mother of Carmel by Peers
            Spirit of Flame by Peers

7. Mental Prayer: Part 1
            Little Catechism of Prayer by Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene, OCD
            I Want to See God Part I, Chap. 4 “Mental Prayer” with Discussion Questions 1-7
                  SUPPLEMENTAL (not required)
            “The Carmelite Vocation Requires Great Faith in the Importance of Prayer” in TOCD Spiritual Growth
                  Experiences
            “St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Universal Church and Mental Prayer” in TOCD Spiritual Growth
                  Experiences

8. Mental Prayer: Part 2
            Lectio Divina and the Practice of Teresian Prayer by Sam Anthony Morello, OCD
            I Want to See God Part 1, Chap. 9 “Spiritual Growth” with Discussion Questions
                   SUPPLEMENTAL (not required)
            “Prayer” by Gabriel Barry, OCD

9. Scapular and Discernment Process
           A. Carmelite Digest , Vol. 16, #3, Summer 2001:
                      “Scapular of Carmel – A Treasure for the Church” by Pope John Paul II, on the 750^th Anniversary of
                           the Scapular
                       “The Carmelite Scapular Today”
                       “St. Simon Stock – The Scapular Vision and the Brown Scapular Devotion” by Bede Edwards
             “The Scapular and the Carmelite Vocation” by William Healy, OCD
                Review Scapular Ritual; Scapular Medal Ordering
           B. Process of discernment: Discussion and questions
                Supplemental (not required):
                Welcome to Carmel, Chp. 9, "Opposition"

10. Ecclesial Dimension of the Teresian Carmel: Mission/Apostolate
          “The Holy Spirit: Lord and Giver of Life: Carmel and Renewal” by Aloysius Deeney, OCD
                 (online @ www.ocd4ocds.blogspot.com pages 32-38)
          Intro to Flower of Carmel Apostolates (Presentation by Formator)
          “The Missionary Spirit of the Carmelite Secular Order” by Jerome Lantry, OCD
          I Want to See God Part. I Chap.VIII, “The Teresian Spirit”

11. Mary
          “Keeping Alive the Marian Character of the Order” in TOCD Spiritual Growth Experiences
          “The Mother of Our Vocation” by Eugene Mosbury, OCD
          “For Pondering…On Mary” by Elizabeth Pantas, OCDS
          “Regina Décor Carmeli: A Meditation” by Leslie Lund, OCD
          Supplemental (not required):
          Conference on Our Lady of Mt. Carmel given to Flower of Carmel Community in July 2003 by Mark Calvert,
                 OCDS

12. OCDS Constitutions and Statutes
OCDS Constitutions (online @ www.ocdswashprov.org) and in Flower of Carmel library
Provincial Statutes (online @ www.ocdswashprov.org) and in Flower of Carmel library

*With the exception of the rotation on Community (which needs to be first), the others are ordered according to the needs of the candidate(s.)

For candidates moving toward Temporary and Definitive Promises.
There are seven 8-month rotations and one 4-month rotation.
Rotation order varies according to needs of candidates.

8-month Rotations

1. Spiritual Canticle (St John of the Cross) with study questions.

2. Ascent of Mt. Carmel (St. John of the Cross) with study questions.

3. Interior Castle (St Teresa of Avila) with study questions.

4. Way of Perfection (St Teresa of Avila) ICS study edition.

5. Story of a Soul (St Therese of Lisieux) ICS study edition.

6. OCDS Constitutions with study questions and Rule of St Albert.

7. Stages of Prayer (This can be broken into two 4-month rotations as needed).

4-month Rotation

Theology of the Promise Overview

Session One: The Beatitudes

1. The Beatitudes as an Integral Part of the Promise (Aloysius Deeney, OCD)

2. Examination of Conscience (based on the Beatitudes) (Doris Donnelly)

3. Each candidate will select 1 or more beatitudes to research and share.

Resources:
1. The Beatitudes (Fr. Bruno, OCD)

2. Divine Intimacy (Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene, OCD) Sections on the Beatitudes:
#300, 303, 305, 307, 310, 312.

3. Catechism of the Catholic Church #1720-1724

Formator Resources:
Be Holy, p. 218 -22

Session Two: Evangelical Counsel of Poverty

1. “Commentaries on the Rule of Life…Poverty” (Fr. Bruno, OCD)

2. “I Promise to be Truly Poor” (Gerald Alfred, OCDS)

3. “On Poverty” from I Am A Daughter of the Church, Chap. VI, p. 375-388

Supplemental:

Divine Intimacy #85-87 (on poverty)

Formator Resources: