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:
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.
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