Simon Stock and the Scapular Vision

Abstract

St Simon Stock is an elusive thirteenth century Carmelite saint of
whom it may be said that very little is known but about whom much
has been written. The details of his life and even the fact of his existence
have aroused considerable controversy over the centuries. In
part the lack of firm information could be attributed to the fact that,
until recently, the early history of the Carmelites, or Whitefriars, was
little known and clouded by legendary claims about the Order being
founded on Mount Carmel by the prophet Elijah. In addition, church
historians have tended to focus on the larger and better documented
Franciscan and Dominican Orders. The Carmelites, although numerically
fewer, were nevertheless a significant presence in medieval England
comprising at their peak some thirty-nine communities and a
total approaching 1,000 friars. Fortunately, in the past few years, the
quantity of published research on Carmelite history has increased significantly.