St Simon Stock was a Catholic priest born in 1165 AD in Aylesford England and died on May 16 1265 in the Carmelite monastery at Bordeaux, France. We celebrate his feast day on May 16 every year in the Catholic Church.
St Simon Stock Brief Life History |
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Date of Birth | 1165 AD |
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Country of Birth | Aylesford England |
Profession | Catholic Priest and founder of Carmelite houses in Europe |
Place of Work | Europe |
Date of Death | May 16 1265 |
Place of Death | Bordeaux, France |
Feast Day | May 16 |
Patron Saint of | Bordeaux, France |
Saint Simon Stock Life History
Saint Simon Stock is also known as
• Simon Anglus
• Simon the Englishman
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.
• He was an itinerant preacher.
• He want to pilgrim to the Holy Lands, but left when invading Muslims chased out Christians.
• He joined the Carmelite Order soon after its arrival in England.
• Simon lived and studied for several years in Rome, Italy and Mount Carmel.
• He was elected sixth general of the Carmelites in 1247 around age 82.
• He helped the Order spread through England, and southern and western Europe.
• Founded houses in Cambridge, England in 1248, Oxford in 1253, Paris, France in 1260, and Bologna, Italy in 1260.
• He 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 Mount Carmel. “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.
Today’s Catholic Quote:
Virgin Mary appeared to Simon bringing him the brown Scapular of Mount Carmel. “This shall be the privilege for you and for all the Carmelites,” she told him, “that anyone dying in this habit shall be saved.”
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