Happy Feast Day of Saint Simon Stock

Happy feast of Saint Simon Stock, English Carmelite Prior General.

Back in 2014, Fr Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm wrote the following introduction to this special Saint:

"Simon was an English man probably from Kent, and helped the Carmelites change from hermits to being part of the new movement of friars. He was prior general of the Order and died in Bordeaux in 1265. Tradition has it that in those difficult days of transition, Simon had a vision of Our Lady who promised to protect the Carmelites and that the Carmelite habit would be a sign of her care.

It is from this tradition that the Brown Scapular devotion grew, and that wearing the Scapular (a smaller version of the habit) was a way of being open to Mary’s care. It was also a sign of Christian commitment. The Scapular is now a world-wide devotion.

Since 1951, St Simon Stocks relics have rested at Aylesford Priory, and are housed in a beautiful reliquary created by the Polish artist Adam Kossowski. Thousands of pilgrims come to Aylesford every year to pay honour to St Simon Stock and Our Lady."

St Simon of England pray for us.

Prayer cards to Saint Simon Stock can be purchased via our online shop here. 

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Book launch at the Shrine

Today in Faversham the Carmelite Friars held a book launch for the new biography of Father Malachy Lynch written by Father Wilfrid McGreal. Wilfrid spoke about Malachy's legacy in restoring Aylesford Priory.

A word of tribute was given by the Prior General of the Order, Father Fernando Millán Romeral and then on behalf of the Prior Provincial by Father Joseph Chalmers.

Later, Father Fernando Millán Romeral visited the Shrine (pictured below).

Read the full news story from the Province, here.

Summer Celebration photos

The photos below are from the Summer Celebration Mass, which was celebrated by Fr. Piet Wijngaard, O.Carm. The Homily was given by Fr. Damian Cassidy, O.Carm, Prior at Aylesford.

Thank you to all the friends of Saint Jude who visited us yesterday. Thank you too to the Faversham community, Fr. Damian for joining us, our volunteers and music group for all their help, and the Shrine Office team for all their work before, during and after.

 Saint Jude, pray for us.

Vocations

The Guardian has published a very interesting set of interviews with people who have followed various vocations. One of these interviews is with two of very own CA priests: Fr Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm (Prior in Faversham) and Fr Leonard Tatt (Southwark Archdiocese). The article compares the veterans and those who are starting in their chosen vocation. Read, here.