Phase I Formation

Phase 1 Lessons & Required Reading

Phase 1

The person who feels called to Carmel embarks on a journey of faith, like our models, Mary and Elijah. Gradually over the course of a lifetime, the Carmelite is changed, not just on an exterior plane but is transformed on every level of his personality if he consents to the will of God. In this way the Carmelite is conformed to Christ and becomes a new creation in him.

Carmelite Formation: A Journey of Transformation

The Phase 1 Candidate Workbook is the approved material that is used for valid Reception into the Order. Click a lesson title below to expand or collapse the required reading for each lesson.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 1 (pp. 6-10)
  2. John Welch, O.Carm., Seasons of the Heart, section titled A Pure Heart — transformation of desire.
    Download here.
  3. Carmel's Call, pages 84-90
  4. Appendix A (Candidate Workbook pp. 93-104): John Malley, O.Carm., "Fundamental Values of Carmelite Spirituality")
    This document is also available online as a PDF: Download here.
  5. Living the Carmelite Way, Part 1: Chapters 1 and 4 (Carmel's Call, pp. 17-18)

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 2 (pp. 11-16)

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 3 (pp. 17-21) plus
    Candidate Workbook Part II: Liturgy of the Hours (pp. 22-28)
  2. Carmels Call, The Rule of St. Albert: paragraphs 1-24 (pp. 17-22), pages 127-131.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 4 (pp. 29-34) plus
    Candidate Workbook Part II: Lectio Divina (pp. 35-36)
  2. Peter Slattery, O.Carm., Springs of Carmel (pp. 142-151)
    This portion of Springs of Carmel is available as a PDF: Download here.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 5 (pp. 37-40)
  2. Carmel's Call (pp. 23-58)

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 6 (pp. 41-45)
  2. Carmel's Call (pp. 59-123)

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 7 (pp. 46-52)
  2. Carmel's Call (pp. 74-110)
  3. Appendix A (Candidate Workbook pp. 93-104): John Malley, O.Carm., "Fundamental Values of Carmelite Spirituality")
    This document is also available online as a PDF: Download here.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 8 (pp. 53-58)
  2. Carmel's Call (pp. 18, 21, 41, 68)
  3. Appendix A (Candidate Workbook pp. 93-104): John Malley, O.Carm., "Fundamental Values of Carmelite Spirituality")
    This document is also available online as a PDF: Download here.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 9 (pp. 59-67)
  2. Carmel's Call (pp. 36-39)
  3. Peter Slattery, O.Carm., The Springs of Carmel (pp. 23-52)
    These pages are available as a PDF: Download here.
  4. Wilfred McGreal, At the Fountain of Elijah (pp. 37-48)
    These pages are available as a PDF: Download here.
  5. Christopher O'Donnell, O.Carm., A Loving Presence: Mary and Carmel (Chapter 3 in the book and from the Website at www.ocarm.org)
    View entire book here. OR Download Chapter 3 here.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 10 (pp. 68-75)
  2. Christopher O'Donnell, O.Carm., A Loving Presence: Mary and Carmel (Chapter 8 — sections 8.1 and 8.2 — pp 85-86 in the book and from the Website at www.ocarm.org)
    View here. OR Download Chapter 8.1/8.2 here.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 11 (pp. 76-88)
  2. Wilfred McGreal, At the Fountain of Elijah (pp. 71-94)
    These pages are available as a PDF: Download here.
  3. Peter Slattery, O.Carm., The Springs of Carmel (pp. 87-102)
    These pages are available as a PDF: Download here.

Required Reading:

  1. Candidate Workbook Lesson 12 (pp. 89-92)
  2. Carmel's Call (pp. 64-68, 145-150)