Tuesday 16 May 2017

Happy Feast Day of Saint Simon Stock

Happy feast of Saint Simon Stock, English Carmelite Prior General.

Back in 2014, Fr Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm wrote the following introduction to this special Saint:

"Simon was an English man probably from Kent, and helped the Carmelites change from hermits to being part of the new movement of friars. He was prior general of the Order and died in Bordeaux in 1265. Tradition has it that in those difficult days of transition, Simon had a vision of Our Lady who promised to protect the Carmelites and that the Carmelite habit would be a sign of her care.

It is from this tradition that the Brown Scapular devotion grew, and that wearing the Scapular (a smaller version of the habit) was a way of being open to Mary’s care. It was also a sign of Christian commitment. The Scapular is now a world-wide devotion.

Since 1951, St Simon Stocks relics have rested at Aylesford Priory, and are housed in a beautiful reliquary created by the Polish artist Adam Kossowski. Thousands of pilgrims come to Aylesford every year to pay honour to St Simon Stock and Our Lady."

St Simon of England pray for us.

Prayer cards to Saint Simon Stock can be purchased via our online shop here




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Monday 15 May 2017

Carmelite News - Summer 2017


We are pleased to announce that the latest issue of Carmelite News is now available to all our on-line friends.

Carmelite News is available to view via a system called Page Tiger. You do not need special software for the online magazine and you will be able to print all, or part of it, if you wish to do so. Page Tiger will allow you to read the newsletter as if was printed.

Our summer issue can be accessed, via this link: https://view.pagetiger.com/CNSummer2017

The summer issue has all relevant web links enabled so you can click to go directly to any site mentioned. Each newsletter can be read either as a two-page spread or as a single spread. It is also possible to zoom into each page.

In this edition, our former Prior Provincial, Fr Tony Lester, O.Carm writes his last letter to the friends of Saint Jude before handing over to the new Prior Provincial, Fr Kevin Alban, O.Carm. The newsletter also includes the latest novena, details of our Summer Celebration, and information on our shop.

We hope you enjoy Carmelite News.

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