St. Simon Stock is a “hallowed” figure in Catholic tradition, best known for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his association with the Brown Scapular—a symbol of Marian protection and Carmelite spirituality.
Born in the twelfth century in England, Simon set off to live as a hermit at the young age of twelve. As I portray in my book, Saints Come in All Shapes and Sizes, according to tradition, he lived for a period in the hollow of an oak tree, embracing a life of solitude, prayer, and penance. A “hallowed hollow,” if you will.
He eventually joined the Carmelite Order, a group of hermits originally from Mount Carmel in the Holy Land who had fled to Europe during the Crusades. He played a crucial role in adapting the Carmelite way of life to Western Europe. He helped establish the order more firmly in England. His leadership and vision were so compelling that he was elected as the sixth Prior General of the Carmelites around 1247. During his life, he visited Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, the great mountain dedicated to Our Lady.
The most significant moment of St. Simon Stock’s life occurred on July 16, 1251, when the Virgin Mary appeared to him in a vision in Cambridge, England. In this vision, she held out the Brown Scapular—a simple piece of cloth worn over the shoulders—as a sign of her protection and a call to live a life of prayer and devotion. Specifically, Our Lady said:
“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.”
Our Lady To St. Simon Stock
And so began the great devotion to the Brown Scapular.
St. Simon Stock died in Bordeaux, France, around 1265. Today, he is venerated as the patron saint of Bordeaux. He should also be declared the patron saint of tree forts! His legacy endures, especially among Carmelites and devotees of the scapular. His feast day is celebrated on May 16.
5 Interesting Facts About St. Simon Stock
1. He was born in England around 1165 AD
2. He once lived in a great hollow oak tree.
3. The name Stock allegedly means “tree trunk.”
4. He joined the Carmelite Order.
5. He lived to be 100 years old.
Keep Learning About St. Simon Stock
