St. Simon Stock
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.
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St. Simon Stock, Thank you for spreading the devotion to the brown scapular, since I am wearing one always and pray for the loving intercession of Our Mother Mary.
St. Simon stock you showed your devotions to the blessed virgin Mary, help me continuously devote my self and all that i plan to this wonderful mother of the helpless.
Dearest St. Simon Stock,
Lend your ear upon us and pray for us all. Pray for those whom are in meed of the mercies of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for those whom wish to build a closer relationship to Our Lady. Pray for our children, who are surrounded by worldly demands of "self". Pray for our men and women who serve our nation. Pray for the first responders.
Glory be to God
16th may 2013:st simon stock o.carm ocd pray for us!
prayer of st. simon stock
oh most beautiful flower of mt carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed mother of the son of God, immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my mother. O holy Mary mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth, i humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (name)
say three times
there are none that can withstand your power. O Mary concieved without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands.
say three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys, and three Glory Be's for three consecutive days.
Dear St. simon Stock, please pray for my dreams and wishes to come true, amen
Dear. St. Simon Stock, please give me admission in the Nigeria Police Academy, this year 2012, I promise to PROCLAIME you and your Good work on Me; Thanks
Saint Simon Stock, please pray for Jacob that he finds the right path and for his parents that they find the strenght and wisdom to lead him. Thank you.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, grant to us the wonderful promises of the Brown Scapula. Give us protection from all evil ideas, evil doers and all who divert us from following your Beloved Son, Jesus. Dear Lady of Mount Carmel pray that Sharon, that she will be successful in her quest for a new position. Grant her the grace of presenting herself as a well-informed, confident and committed person. Dear Simon of Stock your life has always been of interest to me. Help me to pray the rosary everyday, such a wonderful devotion, through which Mama Mary offers us Her Son. St. Simon of Stock, renew my devotion to the brown Scapula. Amen.
i was given a scapular as a kid, maybe 40 years ago, uncertain of the significance or maybe i forgot, now with more life experience i value it very much, and from my readings of other saints of eastern and western traditions and the desert fathers, i can see him living in a tree trunk for some time, just look what St. Simon Stylite did!
St Simon please lead my son back to the faith and nurture his vocation.
I made my first holy communion & comformation @ Our lady of Mt. Carmel in Essex, Md. & didn`t know the origin of the scapular! Thanks!