St Simon Stock - Feast Day 16 May

Saint Simon Stock

Simon, an Englishman, was elected as one of the first Prior Generals of the Order and served during the difficult days of transition between hermits and friars. He died whilst on visitation of our friary at Bordeaux in the mid‑thirteenth century. He has been venerated in the Carmelite Order for his personal holiness and his devotion to Our Lady. A liturgical celebration in his honour was observed locally in the fifteenth century, and later extended to the whole Order. Shortly after the return of the friars to Aylesford a major relic of St. Simon was retuned to England by the Archbishop of Bordeaux.

Prayer

Father, you called St. Simon Stock to serve you
in the brotherhood of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Through his prayers
help us like him to live in your presence
and to work for the salvation of the human family.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Scripture Readings

Ephesians 6:10-13, 18; Gospel – John 15:9-17.

Texts taken from the “Carmelite Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours,” Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome: 1993.

Image courtesy of the Carmelnet webmaster, U.S.A.