St. Simon Stock
Posted on May 16, 2020 by admin No comments
Born: c. 1165 possibly Aylesford England
Died: 16 May 1265 Bordeaux, France
Venerated: in Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine: Aylesford, England
Feast: May 16
Patronage: Bordeaux, France
Although little is known about Simon Stock’s early life, legend has it that the name Stock, meaning “tree trunk,” derives from the fact that, beginning at age twelve, he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk of an oak tree. It is also believed that, as a young man, he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where he joined a group of Carmelites with whom he later returned to Europe. Simon Stock founded many Carmelite Communities, especially in University towns such as Cambridge, Oxford, Paris, and Bologna, and he helped to change the Carmelites from a hermit Order to one of mendicant friars. In 1254 he was elected Superior-General of his Order at London. Simon Stock’s lasting fame came from an apparition he had in Cambridge, England, on July 16, 1251, at a time when the Carmelite Order was being oppressed. In it the Virgin Mary appeared to him holding the brown scapular in one hand. Her words were: “Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.” The scapular (from the Latin, scapula, meaning “shoulder blade”) consists of two pieces of cloth, one worn on the chest, and the other on the back, which were connected by straps or strings passing over the shoulders.
In certain Orders, monks and nuns wear scapulars that reach from the shoulders almost to the ground as outer garments. Lay persons usually wear scapulars underneath their clothing; these consist of two pieces of material only a few inches square. There are elaborate rules governing the wearing of the scapular: although it may be worn by any Catholic, even an infant, the investiture must be done by a priest. And the scapular must be worn in the proper manner; if an individual neglects to wear it for a time, the benefits are forfeited. The Catholic Church has approved eighteen different kinds of scapulars of which the best known is the woolen brown scapular, or the Scapular of Mount Carmel, that the Virgin Mary bestowed on Simon Stock. His feast day is May 16th.
Prayer of St. Simon Stock
O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the sea, help and protect me! Show me that Thou art my Mother.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation! Amen.
Scapular Novena
(Please recite this novena for 9 consecutive days.)
First Day
The prayer Flos Carmeli (Flower of Carmel) was composed by St. Simon Stock and in answer he received the Scapular from Our Blessed Mother.
O Beautiful Flower Of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendour of heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity!
O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother! (here pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory… Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Second Day
Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son St. Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory… Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Third Day
O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we might be known as your special children. May we always wear it with honour by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours.
(pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory… Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fourth Day
When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us to be not only servants, but also your own dear children.
We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as your children in joy, peace and love. (pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory..Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fifth Day
O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness we are not only your children but persons called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God’s people. (pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory…Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Sixth Day
With loving provident care, O Mother Most Admirable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defence against the Evil One. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ. (pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc…Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Seventh Day
O Mary, help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul with your continual aid. May all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you. (pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory, etc. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Eighth Day
You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise
we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope, grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints. (pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory…Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Ninth Day
O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel, you rather granted an assurance of salvation to the whole world. Behold us your children, kneeling at your feet.
We glory, dearest Mother, in wearing your holy habit, that habit which makes us members of your family of Carmel, that habit through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death.
Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony! Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help! Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Saviour, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children. Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls! (pause and mention petitions)
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory… Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.