St. Simon Stock

St. Simon Stock, born around 1165 in Kent, England, played a significant role in the Carmelite Order's history. Although details about his early life are scarce, it is known that he became associated with the Carmelites, who had recently arrived in England. In 1247, at the age of 82, Simon was elected the sixth Superior General of the Carmelites during their first general chapter held outside the Holy Land, in Aylesford, England. Under his leadership, the order expanded across southern and western Europe, establishing houses in key university cities like Cambridge and Oxford in England, and Paris and Bologna. Simon Stock is famously associated with the Brown Scapular, a devotional object linked to a vision of the Virgin Mary, although historical evidence for this vision is based on tradition rather than verified fact. His feast day is celebrated on May 16, and he is the patron saint of the Carmelite Order and several towns, including Aylesford and Bordeaux. Despite not being formally canonized, his legacy is recognized within the Catholic Church, with liturgies in his honor dating back to the 15th century.