May 16      St. Simon Stock, Religious

     Simon, an Englishman, was elected as one of the early Priors General of the Order and served during the difficult days of transition between hermits and friars. He died whilst on visitation of our friary at Bordeaux in the mid-thirteenth century.

     He has been venerated in the Carmelite Order for his personal holiness and his devotion to Our Lady. A liturgical celebration in his honor was observed locally in the fifteenth century, and later extended to the whole Order.  Shortly after the return of the friars to Aylesford a major relic of St. Simon was returned to England by the Archbishop of Bordeaux.