He seems to have been conflated with Simeone Mago, Simon Magus, and possibly other Simons, including Simon the Canaanite and Simon Peter. (Some Christian legends claimed Simon Magus, due to his magic, was venerated as a deity. One legend claimed that there was a statue dedicated to Simon Magus, inscribed Simoni Deo Sancto, "To Simon the Holy God.". In fact, the statue later unearthed on the site in question was inscribed to Semo Sancus, a Sabine deity assocated with oaths.)
According to Leland, if a person wished pray to Vecchio Simeone Santo, she or he took either a statuette or picture of the great and benificent saint to the cellar to pray in private at midnight for three consecutive nights.
The prayer which Leland provided from a prayer card was:
O gloriossissimo S. Vecchio Simeone che meritaste ed aveste la bella sorte di ricevere e portare nella vostre fortuate braccie il Divin Pargolette Gesu--E le annunziaste e profetiziaste e le vostre Profezie furono sante verita--Oh Santo concedetomi la grazia che vi addomando. Amen.Later the saint, clad as an ancient holy man, magus, or priest, would appear in a dream to provide the answer. The knowledge this prophetic saint was principally credited with bestowing was lucky numbers in the lottery.
I did not succeed in finding an English version of the prayer above. Perhaps this manner of requesting petitions from S. Vecchio Simeone or Simeone Mago has become obsolete.
In other Catholic lore, St. Simon is frequenly honored with St. Jude, as they share the same feast day, Oct. 28. Theoretically a prayer to St. Simon could be offered with a Novena to St. Jude requesting insights and assistance for financial need.
To honor St. Simon and St. Jude together light two green or white candles with some mint in between them.
St. Jude in particular was petitioned to provide help to those who are in desparate need.
Useful Prayers: Novena to St. Jude
Useful Prayers: Prayer of St. Simon the Old
Myth's Notes
If anyone has any more information about prayers to Il Vecchio Simeone Santo, please send your comments and opinions to Myth Woodling, jesterbear@erols.com.