St. Simon Stock

St. Simon Stock was a 13th-century English Carmelite monk known for his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary. He is most famous for receiving the Brown Scapular from her in a vision in 1251, making him a central figure in Carmelite spirituality. His feast day is celebrated on May 16.

Saint Simon Stock was born around the year 1165 in England, possibly in the county of Kent. While little is known about his early life with historical certainty, legends tell that he lived as a hermit from a young age, residing in the hollow trunk of a tree—hence the surname "Stock." His early life was marked by piety, seclusion, and a profound commitment to the spiritual path, which eventually led him to join the Carmelites, an order of hermits with roots on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.

The Carmelite Order had recently arrived in Europe from Palestine due to increasing pressure from Muslim conquests in the East. Simon became instrumental in organizing and adapting the Order to life in Europe, particularly in England. He eventually became the sixth Prior General of the Carmelite Order. During this time, the Order faced various challenges, including criticism from the established religious communities and questions about their way of life.

According to Carmelite tradition, it was during this critical period in 1251 that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Simon Stock in a vision at Aylesford, England. In this vision, she presented him with the Brown Scapular—a garment worn over the shoulders—as a sign of her protection and a call to live a life of faith and purity. She is believed to have told him: “Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed in this habit shall not suffer eternal fire.”

This vision and the scapular promise became one of the most significant devotions within the Carmelite Order and the broader Catholic Church. The Brown Scapular became a widely worn sacramental, particularly associated with Marian devotion, and is still worn by millions today as a sign of protection and consecration to Mary.

Though the historical accuracy of the vision has been debated, the spiritual and cultural impact of the scapular devotion is undeniable. Simon Stock’s legacy endures in the Carmelite Order’s continued devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and in the global promotion of the scapular devotion.

Simon died on May 16, 1265, in Bordeaux, France, where he had gone to establish or visit Carmelite communities. He was buried there, and his relics were later enshrined in the Carmelite church in Bordeaux. Although he was never formally canonized through the modern canonization process, he has been venerated as a saint for centuries, and his feast day has been celebrated on May 16 by the Carmelites and others devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Today, St. Simon Stock remains a beloved figure among the Carmelites and lay faithful alike. His life is a reminder of the deep connections between Marian devotion and the pursuit of holiness. The scapular he received, and the promise associated with it, continue to inspire people to lead lives of prayer, humility, and dedication to Christ through the intercession of Mary.

Feast Day

16-5-

Birth Date

--N/A

Died Date

16-5-1265

Canonised Date

--N/A

Bordeaux, France (in the Carmelite Church)

St. Simon Stock, Devoted servant of Mary, Pray for us to grow in faith and devotion. Help us to trust in God’s grace And live with love and humility. Amen.
ST. SIMON STOCK

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ST. SIMON STOCK

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