Today is the Feast of St Simon Stock, who was an Englishman and lived in the thirteen century. He became the prior general of the Carmelite Order at Aylesford, Kent. Our Lady appeared to St Simon Stock on 15th July, 1251, and giving him the brown scapular she told him that "this shall be to thee and all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire". Carmelites always venerated St Simon Stock for his personal holiness and his great devotion to Our Lady. He died in Bordeaux in the mid-thirteen century.
Flos Carmeli is the prayer attributed to St Simon Stock:
Flower of Carmel,
Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendour of heaven
Child-bearing, yet maiden.
Child-bearing, yet maiden.
None equals thee
Mother so tender,
Whom no man did know,
On Carmel's childern
Thy favours bestow.
Star of the Sea.
Strong stem of Jesse,
Who bore one bright flower,
Be ever near us
And guard us each hour,
Who serve thee there.
Purest of lilies,
That flower among thorns,
Bring help to the true heart
That in weakness turns
And trusts in thee.
Strongest of armour,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press'd in the fight,
We called to thee.
Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
You give to those
Who turn to thee.
O gentle mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with your servants
That gladness you gained
And now enjoy.
Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With the glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
True joy to see.
And trusts in thee.
Strongest of armour,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press'd in the fight,
We called to thee.
Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
You give to those
Who turn to thee.
O gentle mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with your servants
That gladness you gained
And now enjoy.
Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With the glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
True joy to see.
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