“The Scapular and the Rosary are inseparable.” – Venerable Lucia Santos
Simon was born in 1165 in Aylesford, England and descended from a good family. Even at an early age he turned all his thoughts and affections to attain the most perfect love of God and he developed a reputation for his holiness.
For 20 years he lived as a recluse, seeking God by imitating the Macarius and Arsenius monks in their practices of penance and contemplation, and their devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
With the fall of the Crusader Kingdoms in Palestine, and the resumption of Muslim rule beginning in 1212, the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel moved to Europe where they became mendicant friars.
Simon was inspired by one of the monasteries that settled near him in the woods of Aylesford and he joined the Carmelite Order. Afterwards he was sent to Oxford for education.
Upon his return, he showed such great piety and virtue, along with his reputation, that he was appointed as Vicar-General with full power over all of the western provinces. Soon he visited Rome and in 1226, obtained a confirmation of the Rule given to the Carmelite Order from Pope Honorius III.
Several years later he visited his brethren who had remained on Mount Carmel in Palestine and stayed with them for 6 years. Because of disturbances in persecution, oppression, and threats, he assisted the majority to relocate to Europe with many joining him in England. Shortly after, he was chosen as general and procured a new confirmation of the Rule by the Pope.
The Blessed Virgin, with a multitude of angels, appeared to him holding a Brown Scapular in her hand, saying, “Whoever dies clothed in this habit shall not suffer the eternal fire.” He then instituted the Confraternity of the Scapular, to unite the devout clients of the Blessed Virgin in certain regular exercises of faith and piety. It has been approved by many popes.
He cured several of the sick by giving them the scapular which convinced King Edward I of England, and Saint Louis of France, along with many others, to enroll their names in this confraternity.
Several years afterwards, he established monasteries throughout Europe which also flourished.
He governed the order for the next 20 years and accomplished much for it. At the age of 100, he was called to France, and passed on May 16, 1265, shortly after his arrival.
Devotion to the Brown Scapular remains widespread and is recommended by the Catholic Church. When Saint John Paul II addressed the Carmelite family in 2001, he said this devotion was “a treasure for the whole Church,” and is to be expressed in the memorial of July 16th, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
He is the patron saint of the English province of Discalced Carmelites and Bordeaux, France.
His feast day is May 16.
For God’s Glory.
