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St Simon Stock (c.1165-1265) was a hermit and the General of the Carmelites, to whom Our Lady of Mount Carmel appeared on the 16th of July 1251. Originally from Kent in England, where he lived as a hermit from the age of 12, St. Simon travelled to the Holy Land in the early 13th century to join the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. He returned to England when the Brothers were forced to flee Mount Carmel in 1238, and assisted in establishing the early settlement at Aylesford. St. Simon became the General of the Carmelite Order in 1247. He guided the Order through the reform of its rule, a turbulent time for the Carmelites. He founded houses of Carmelites in the university towns including Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, and Bologna. St. Simon died in France in 1265. Today his relics are housed in Aylesford Priory in Kent.
St. Simon composed the beautiful hymn Flos Carmeli in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary:Flower of Carmel, tall vine, blossom-laden;
splendour of heaven, child-bearing, yet maiden;
none equals thee.
Mother so tender, whom no man didst know,
on Carmel's children thy favours bestow;
Star of the Sea!
Strong stem of Jesse, who bore one bright flower,
be ever near us, and guard us each hour,
who serve thee here.
Purest of lilies, that flowers among thorns,
bring help to true hearts that in weakness turn
and trust in thee.
Strongest of armour, we trust in thy might,
under thy mantle, hard pressed in the fight,
we call to thee.
Our way, uncertain, surrounded by foes,
unfailing counsel you offer to those
who turn to thee.
O gentle Mother, who in Carmel reigns,
share with your servants that gladness you gained,
and now enjoy.
Hail, gate of heaven, with glory now crowned,
bring us to safety, where thy Son is found,
true joy to see.