Aylesford, England (1251)
Country: Aylesford, County of Kent, England, United Kingdom
Title:Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Feast Day: July 16th
Investigated: N/A
First Apparition: July 16, 1251
Approved: Confirmation of the Rule of the Order by Pope Honorius III, Gregory IX, and Pope Innocent IV
Last Apparition: July 16, 1251
Visionaries: St. Simon Stock
Number of Apparitions: 1
Summary: In answer to St. Simon Stock's appeal for help for his oppressed order, the Virgin Mary appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and the promise of safety from Hell. Soon after, he instituted the confraternity of the Brown Scapular.
Messages
In answer to his appeal for help for his oppressed order, the Virgin Mary appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and said:
"Take, beloved son, this scapular of the order as a badge of my confraternity and for you and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant".
Timeline
1165
Simon Stock was born in Aylesford, County of Kent, England. On account of his English birth he is also called Simon Anglus.
1177
When he was twelve, he reportedly went to live in a hollow oak trunk, drinking only water and eating only herbs, roots, and wild apples. Later he became an travelling preacher.
1212
He entered the Carmelite Order which had just come to England. After he was admitted into the order, he was sent to Oxford to complete his studies.
After his return, he was appointed vicar-general by Brocard, the prior of Mount Carmel
1226
Simon went to Rome and obtained Pope Honorius III's confirmation of the Rule given by Albertus, the patriarch of Jerusalem.
1229
He also obtained a confirmation from Gregory IX.
1237
He later went to Palestine for six years and assisted in the general chapter (general assembly) of the order.
1240
It was determined at this chapter that the majority of the order should go to Europe, due to influence of the Saracens. Many of the brothers were sent to England, to be followed by Alanus (the general of the order) and Simon.
1247
During a general chapter in Aylesford, Alanus resigned his position as general, and Simon was chosen as the sixth general of the order.
1248
St. Simon was able to found houses in the university cities of that era, as in 1248 at Cambridge, in 1253 at Oxford, in 1260 at Paris and Bologna. This aided the growth of the institution and allowed for the training of its younger members.
1251
The order was received under the special protection of the Holy See
July 16, 1251
In answer to his appeal for help for his oppressed order, the Virgin Mary appeared to him with a scapular in her hand and said: "Take, beloved son, this scapular of the order as a badge of my confraternity and for you and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant". Soon after, he instituted the confraternity of the Brown Scapular.
1430
Johannes Grossi wrote his "Viridarium", and he relates that the Mother of God appeared to Simon Stock with the scapular of the order in her hand. This scapular she gave him with the words: "Hoc erit tibi et cunctis Carmelitis privilegium, in hoc habitu moriens salvabitur" (This shall be the privilege for you and for all the Carmelites, that anyone dying in this habit shall be saved).
1435
His feast was put in the choral books of the monastery at Bordeaux. It was introduced before 1458 into Ireland and, probably at the same time, into England; by a decree of the General Chapter of 1564 its celebration was commanded for the entire order.
May 16, 1265
St. Simon Stock died in the Carmelite monastery at Bordeaux, France.
1642
This tradition of the appearance of Mary appears in such a precise written form for the first time when the words of the Blessed Virgin were given in a circular of Saint Simon Stock which he is said to have dictated to Peter Swanyngton, his secretary and confessor.
July 16, 1726
Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was extended to the universal Church by Pope Benedict XIII.
July 1951
His skull was translated from France to Carmelite friary in Aylesford.
Approval
There was no investigation or explicit approval concerning the authenticity of apparition to St. Simon Stock. He received a confirmation of the Rule of his Order by Pope Honorius III, Gregory IX, and Pope Innocent IV, and the order was received under the special protection of the Holy See in 1251. St. Simon Stock has never been officially canonized by the Church but his feast day has been sanctioned.
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is July 16th.
Prayer
O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful Vine,
Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular,
who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a Pure Virgin,
assist me in this necessity.
O Star of the Sea, help and protect me!
Show me that thou art my Mother.
O Mary, Conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, be my Salvation!
SOURCE: MiracleHunter.com