Virtual Walk - W1. Our Lady of Mount Carmel appearing to Saint Simon Stock

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

On the 16th of July the Church honors Our Lady of Mount Carmel, for on this day in 1251 Our Lady gave the Brown Scapular to St. Simon Stock (1165-1265). St. Simon's relics are now at a Carmelite Priory at Alyesford, England. It is not far from London. At the Priory is a beautiful shrine of Our Lady.

St. Simon's story is very interesting. He was an English hermit and lived in the hollow of a tree. He received the name "stock" because he lived in the hollowed trunk or stock of a tree. In time he became a Carmelite and later the Father General of the order. He led the order during a time of struggle. These Carmelites originally were hermits on Mount Carmel, near Nazareth in the Holy Land. When they migrated to Europe, in this case England, some saw great wisdom in no longer being hermits and instead becoming friars who would work among the people. St. Simon guided them through this state of transition. St. Simon greatly expanded the order, establishing new foundations in England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy. Also he revised the rule that was approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1237.

A very special grace was given to St. Simon when Our Lady appeared to him and gave him a scapular for the Carmelites saying, "Receive, My beloved son, this habit of thy order: this shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire." This was truly a great gift and a great promise from the Mother of God.

Now a scapular on a religious habit is a large rectangular piece of cloth that is put on over the tunic. The word scapular come from the Latin "scapulae" meaning shoulders since it is worn over the shoulders. In time small versions of the Carmelite scapular were made for those who wished to share in this great blessing. And, of course, these were brown like the Carmelite habit.

Today multitudes throughout the world wear the Brown Scapular trusting in the promise that they will be saved from the punishment of hell. By wearing the Brown Scapular one professes consecration to Our Blessed Mother and proclaims that one belongs to Our Lady. Many people think of the scapular as Our Mother's Mantle enwrapping them and therefore they know they are safe.