Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
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Summary |
Timeline
1165 |
Simon Stock was born in Aylesford, County of Kent, England. On account of his English birth he is also called Simon Anglus. |
1177 |
When he was twelve, he reportedly went to live in a hollow oak trunk, drinking only water and eating only herbs, roots, and wild apples. Later he became an travelling preacher. |
1212 |
He entered the Carmelite Order which had just come to England. After he was admitted into the order, he was sent to Oxford to complete his studies. |
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After his return, he was appointed vicar-general by Brocard, the prior of Mount Carmel |
1226 |
Simon went to Rome and obtained Pope Honorius III's confirmation of the Rule given by Albertus, the patriarch of Jerusalem. |
1229 |
He also obtained a confirmation from Gregory IX. |
1237 |
He later went to Palestine for six years and assisted in the general chapter (general assembly) of the order. |
1240 |
It was determined at this chapter that the majority of the order should go to Europe, due to influence of the Saracens. Many of the brothers were sent to England, to be followed by Alanus (the general of the order) and Simon. |
1247 |
During a general chapter in Aylesford, Alanus resigned his position as general, and Simon was chosen as the sixth general of the order. |
1248 |
St. Simon was able to found houses in the university cities of that era, as in 1248 at Cambridge, in 1253 at Oxford, in 1260 at Paris and Bologna. This aided the growth of the institution and allowed for the training of its younger members. |
1251 |
The order was received under the special protection of the Holy See |
July 16, 1251 |
In answer to his appeal for help for his oppressed order, the Virgin Mary appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and said: "Take, beloved son, this scapular of the order as a badge of my confraternity and for you and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant". Soon after, he instituted the confraternity of the Brown Scapular. |
1430 |
Johannes Grossi wrote his "Viridarium", and he relates that the Mother of God appeared to Simon Stock with the scapular of the order in her hand. This scapular she gave him with the words: "Hoc erit tibi et cunctis Carmelitis privilegium, in hoc habitu moriens salvabitur" (This shall be the privilege for you and for all the Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall be saved). |
1435 |
His feast was put in the choral books of the monastery at Bordeaux. It was introduced before 1458 into Ireland and, probably at the same time, into England; by a decree of the General Chapter of 1564 its celebration was commanded for the entire order. |
May 16, 1265 |
St. Simon Stock died in the Carmelite monastery at Bordeaux, France. |
1642 |
This tradition of the appearance of Mary appears in such a precise written form for the first time when the words of the Blessed Virgin were given in a circular of Saint Simon Stock which he is said to have dictated to Peter Swanyngton, his secretary and confessor. |
July 1951 |
His skull was translated from France to Carmelite friary in Aylesford. |
Photo Gallery
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Messages
In answer to his appeal for help for his oppressed order, the Virgin Mary appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and said:
"Take, beloved son, this scapular of the order as a badge of my
confraternity and for you and all Carmelites a special sign of grace;
whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is
the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of
the covenant".
Approval
There was no investigation or explicit approval concerning the
authenticity of apparition to St. Simon Stock. He received a
confirmation of the Rule of his Order by Pope Honorius III, Gregory IX,
and Pope Innocent IV, and the order was received under the special
protection of the Holy See in 1251. St. Simon Stock has never been
officially canonized by the Church but his feast day has been
sanctioned.
Prayer
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 my Salvation!
Novena
First Day 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 us in our necessity! O
Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our M other!
(pause and mention petitions) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory
Be 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 Saint 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) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be 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 faithful children. may we always wear it with honor by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours. (pause a nd mention petitions) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be 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 children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as you children in joy, peace and love. (pause and mention petiti ons) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fifth Day O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are 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 me ntion petitions) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Sixth Day With loving provident care, O Mother Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defense against the Evil One. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ. (paus e and mention petitions) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be 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 petition s) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be 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) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be 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 gave assurance of your Motherly love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son. Behold us, your children. We glory in wearing your holy ha bit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, 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 Savior, 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 mentio n petitions) Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.