Carmel's debt to an Englishman

St Simon Stock (feast day today) was elected the sixth general of the Carmelites in 1247 at the first Chapter - held at Aylesford in Kent.  He showed remarkable energy as general and did much for the benefit of the Order, so that he is justly regarded as the most celebrated of its generals. During his occupancy of the office the Order became widely spread in southern and western Europe.   He founded houses in the university cities - in 1248 Cambridge, in 1253 Oxford, in 1260 Paris and Bologna – and this action was of the greatest importance both for the growth of the institution and for the training of its younger members. Simon was also able to gain at least the temporary approbation of Pope Innocent IV for the altered rule of the Order, which had had to be adapted to European conditions with the move from the Holy Land.  At the time the Carmelites were encountering a great deal of opposition both from the parish clergy and from the other Orders. Faced with this hostility the monks prayed to Our Lady, who advised them to apply boldly to Pope Innocent to defend their cause. The Pope duly sent a Bull or Letter of Protection defending the Carmelites from aggressive actions in 1252.  We Carmelites in the UK can be proud of the role of this Englishman in the early history of our Order. 

Intercessions:

Louise Aldred OCDS RIP – a long-time member of the Nottingham Secular community

Brian Davis – cancer

Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him) - cancer

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David - housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Rebekah – in hospital

K and C - facing a difficult decision