Saint Simon Stock

[Saint Simon Stock]
Also known as
Simon Anglus
Simon the Englishman
Memorial
16 May
Profile
Little is known of his early life. Legend says that at age twelve he began to live as a hermit in a hollow oak tree; the name Stock is believed derived from the old English for tree trunk. Itinerant preacher. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands, but left when invading Muslims chased out Christians. Joined the Carmelite Order soon after its arrival in England.

Lived and studied for several years in Rome and Mount Carmel. Elected sixth general of the Carmelites in 1247 around age 82. Helped the Order spread through England, southern and western Europe. Founded houses in Cambridge, England in 1248, Oxford in 1253, Paris in 1260, and Bologna in 1260. Revised the Rule of the Order to make them mendicant friars instead of hermits.

Regardless of these successes, the Order was oppressed on all sides, including by the clergy and other orders. The friars took their woes to their patroness, the Virgin Mary. Tradition says that in answer, she appeared to Simon bringing him the brown scapular of the Carmelites. "This shall be the privilege for you and for all the Carmelites," she told him, "that anyone dying in this habit shall be saved." On 13 January 1252 the Order received a letter of protection from Pope Innocent IV, protecting them from harassment.
Born
c.1165 in Aylesford, County Kent, England
Died
16 May 1265 in the Carmelite monastery at Bordeaux, France of natural causes while on a visit
skull transferred to the Carmelite friary in Aylesford, England in 1951
Canonized
never formally canonized
venerated by the Carmelites since at least 1564
the Vatican has approved Carmelite celebration of his feast
Patronage
Bordeaux, France
Representation
Carmelite friar holding a scapular
Carmelite friar receiving the scapular from the Blessed Virgin
Carmelite friar surrounded by and praying for souls in purgatory
elderly man in a Carmelite habit in prayer
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Additional Information
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Carmelite Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours
Carmelnet [español]
Catholic Encyclopedia, by Joseph Hilgers
Catholic Online
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Goffine's Devout Instructions
Google Directory
Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler
New Catholic Dictionary
Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon [deutsche]
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
Sacred Heart Parish, Waterlooville, England
Saint Simon Stock and the Brown Scapular
Saints Alive
Virgin Giving the Scapular to Saint Simon Stock, by Pierre Puget
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Readings
Carmel's Flower,
Vine ever blossoming,
Heaven's splendor!
Virgin who bore a child.
No one is like thee.
Mother gentle and kind.
Yet never touched by man!
To Carmelites give thou the privilege.
Help us Star of the Sea.

- Simon Stock
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