Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B432 returned 155 results.
I REMEMBER THE ONE, THERE WAS A MAN WHO WENT TO COMMUNION AND
HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS REALLY GOD. SO WHEN THE PRIEST
GAVE HIM THE HOST, HE HURRIED UP AND TOOK IT OUT OF HIS
MOUTH AND PUT IT IN A HANDKERCHIEF, WRAPPED IT UP AND PUT
IT IN HIS POCKET. AND WHEN HE GOT HOME, HE WENT IN HIS
ROOM AND CLOSED THE DOOR, TOOK A HAMMER AND A NAIL, AND HE
NAILED THE HOST TO THE WALL, AND IT BEGAN TO BLEED. HE
DROWN {DROWNED} IN THE BLOOD.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
PREDICTING DEATH
I HAD A FRATERNITY BROTHER WHO DIED A FEW YEARS AGO
FROM CANCER. THE NIGHT BEFORE HE DIED, HE WAS TOLD
THAT A PRIEST WOULD BRING HIM COMMUNION AT 6:30 THE
NEXT MORNING. HE REPLIED THAT 6:30 A.M. WOULD BE
TOO LATE, BECAUSE THE BLESSED VIRGIN TOLD HIM HE WOULD
DIE AT 5:30 A.M. THE NEXT MORNING, HE DIED AT 5:30 A.M.
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE IS HEARSAY. I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH
TRUTH IS CONTAINED IN IT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STRANGE LADY IN CHAPEL
A LADY, ABOUT 45 YEARS OLD, CAME TO U.D. IN THE SPRING
OF 1962 TO ATTEND MASS IN THE CHAPEL. SHE WORE HEAVY
SHABBY WINTER CLOTHES EVEN THOUGH IT WAS 80 DEGREES
OR MORE OUTSIDE. SHE HAD A LARGE CRUCIFIX AND A
ROSARY AROUND HER NECK AND HAD HOLY CARDS AND LARGE
PICTURES FASTENED TO HER COAT, FRONT AND BACK.
A LITTLE BOY ALWAYS CAME WITH HER. HE HAD SEVERAL
SCAPULARS AND A ROSARY AROUND HIS NECK ALSO. IT
WAS SAID THAT SHE IS DONG PENANCE FOR ONCE
DESERTING HER SEVEN CHILDREN. ONCE, SHE WAS
LET OFF NEAR THE CHAPEL IN A LIMOUSINE, REPORTEDLY
BY HER HUSBAND.
Submitter comment: HEARD SEVERAL TIMES FROM U. OF D. STUDENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001962 SPRING
THE STONE
JESUS CHRIST WAS WALKING AND HE CAME UPON A CROWD
OF WOMEN STONING AN ADULTRESS. HE ORDERED THEM TO
STOP; AND SAID, "ALL THOSE WHO ARE VIRGINS, CAST
THE NEXT STONE!"
SUDDENLY A LARGE ROCK FLEW OUT FROM THE CROWD, HIT
THE SINNER, AND KILLED HER. JESUS TURNED TO THE
WOMAN WHO THREW IT, AND SAID; "MOM, WHY DO YOU
ALWAYS RUIN EVERYTHING."
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
GIRL IN THE GLASS COFFIN AT N.D.U.
INCLOSED IN A GLASS COFFIN UNDER ONE OF THE ALTARS AT
SACRED HEART CHURCH ON THE CAMPUS OF NOTRE DAME
UNIVERSITY, NOTRE DAME, INDIANA, IS THE BODY OF A
GIRL ABOUT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE. SHE IS CLOTHED IN
WHITE AND HAS A NOTICEABLE MARK ON HER THROAT.
SHE WAS A GIRL WHO BECAME A CATHOLIC AGAINST HER
FATHER'S WISHES, AND TOOK INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRST
COMMUNION UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM. ON THE DAY SHE
RECEIVED HER FIRST COMMUNION, HER FATHER RAN INTO
THE CHURCH AND, AS SHE TURNED FROM THE RAIL AFTER
RECEIVING COMMUNION, HE STABBED HER IN THE THROAT
AND SHE DIED IMMEDIATELY.
THAT IS WHY SHE HAS THE MARK ON HER THROAT, AND WHY
SHE IS CLOTHED IN HER FIRST COMMUNION OUTFIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; INDIANA ; BIRMINGHAM ; NOTRE DAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
GIRL IN THE GLASS COFFIN AT U.N.D.
THE GIRL IN THE GLASS COFFIN UNDER THE SIDE ALTAR AT
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY WAS AN INDIAN MAIDEN. SHE WAS
THE DAUGHTER OF A CHIEF, AND SHE WAS CONVERTED BY
ONE OF THE EARLY MISSIONARIES--ONE OF THE EARLY C.S.C.
FATHERS. HER DAD, THE CHIEF, HEARD ABOUT IT AND SLIT
HER THROAT RIGHT AFTER SHE RECEIVED HER FIRST
COMMUNION. SHE IS AN INDIAN--YOU CAN TELL FROM LOOKING
AT HER. SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN HER COMMUNION DRESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; INDIANA ; BIRMINGHAM ; NOTRE DAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-25-1968
STORY OF ST. SEVERA
ABOUT THE WAX FIGURE OF THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE MAIN
CHURCH--IT IS A FIGURE OF ST. SEVERA, MARTYRED IN ROME
IN THE YEAR 269. HER TOMB WAS DISCOVERED IN 1730 IN A
VERY OLD CEMETERY ON THE VIA SALARIA. THE INSCRIPTION
ON HER TOMB DID NOT GIVE TOO MUCH INFORMATION, BUT
WAS ENOUGH TO BE THAT OF AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN
MARTYR. HER BONES WERE GATHERED IN A LITTLE BOX,
BROUGHT TO THIS COUNTRY, AND PRESENTED TO NOTRE DAME
IN 1867 BY BISHOP HAILANDIERE OF VINCENNES. NOTHING
IS KNOWN OF HER LIFE OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT SHE
WAS PUT TO DEATH FOR HER FAITH. THE BOX CONTAINING HER
BONES AND ASHES WAS PLACED AT THE HEAD OF THE WAX
FIGURE WHICH LIES UNDER THE GLASS INCLOSED ALTAR OF
THE RELICS IN ONE OF THE SIDE CHAPELS OF SACRED
HEART CHURCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; INDIANA ; BIRMINGHAM ; NOTRE DAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
ST. PATRICK AND THE SNAKES
IN IRELAND WHEN ALL WERE PAGAN, AND CELTIC PRIESTS WERE
IN CHARGE, THERE CAME A CHRISTIAN PRIEST FROM FRANCE--
A HANDSOME, TALL, AND LEAN PERSON BY THE NAME OF
PATRICK. THERE HAD BEEN A TERRIBLE PLAGUE OF VIPERS
FOR A LONG TIME, A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD. PATRICK
WALKED INTO THE MAIN CITY AND INTO THE HIGH TEMPLE.
HE WENT UP TO THE ALTAR OF THE CELTIC PRIESTS AND
EXTENDED HIS STAFF OVER IT, AND THEREUPON IT
CRUMBLED. HE BLESSED HIMSELF AND DEDICATED THE TEMPLE
TO GOD; AND THEY SAY AT THAT MOMENT THE VIPERS WENT
INTO THE SEA AND DROWNED. ST. PATRICK THEN WENT OUT
AND CONVERTED MILLIONS.
Submitter comment:
I HAD FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK AND
THE SNAKES FROM ONE OF MY FORMER INFORMANTS, JOHN
GRIFFIN, WHO DIDN'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY, BUT TOLD ME
ABOUT JOHN WHOM HE THOUGHT WOULD KNOW THE WHOLE STORY.
JOHN TOLD ME THE STORY AND AFTERWARDS TOLD ME HOW THE
VIPERS REPRESENT DEVILS AND ST. PATRICK'S STAFF
REPRESENTS A PHALLIC SYMBOL, WHICH HAS POWER OVER THE
VIPERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
ST. PATRICK LEGEND
ST. PATRICK FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS AND, WHILE
HE DID, HE ASKED THE LORD FOR CERTAIN FAVORS. ONE OF THE
THINGS HE ASKED FOR WAS THAT ON THE LAST JUDGMENT, HE
BE ALLOWED TO JUDGE THE IRISH NATION AND GOD GRANTED
HIS REQUEST.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST,
IRELAND, ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1915
WHEN ST. NICHOLAS WAS A YOUNG BOY, HIS PARENTS DIED.
THEY WERE QUITE RICH AND HE INHERITED THIS WEALTH.
ALSO AT THIS TIME, A DOWRY WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR A
GIRL TO MARRY. ONE NIGHT, WHILE HE WAS WALKING HOME,
HE HEARD A GIRL CRYING BECAUSE SHE HAD NO DOWRY.
THE FATHER OF THIS GIRL HAD TWO OTHER DAUGHTERS. A
FEW NIGHTS LATER, NICHOLAS LEFT A SACK OF GOLD ON THE
FAMILY'S DOORSTEP. HE DID THIS FOR TWO MORE NIGHTS.
THUS, THERE WAS A DOWRY FOR EACH OF THE DAUGHTERS.
ON THE THIRD NIGHT, THE GIRLS' FATHER WAS AWAKE AND
SAW NICHOLAS LEAVE THE SACKS. UPON QUESTIONING,
NICHOLAS SAID THAT HE HAD NO USE FOR THE GOLD. NICHOLAS
WANTED THE WHOLE THING KEPT A SECRET, BUT WORD SPREAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FATHER CHRISTMAS ANONYMOUS GIFTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 03-14-1972
HOW ST. PATRICK DEFEATED THE DRUIDS ON HIS COMING
TO IRELAND:
IN PRE-LITERATE CELTIC SOCIETY, THE DRUIDS POWER
WAS DERIVED LARGELY FROM THEIR VERBAL SKILLS.
PATRICK OFFERED TO WEIGH THE WORD OF HIS LORD (JESUS)
AGAINST THE WORDS OF THE DRUIDS. THEN HE PRODUCED A
BALANCE SCALE AND PUT A BIBLE IN ONE OF THE PANS.
THE DRUIDS, UNABLE TO PRODUCE BOOKS, LOST AND IRELAND
WAS ON THE ROAD TO CHRISTIANITY.
Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
TRUMPETER OF KRAKOW STORY
LONG AGO THE TARTARS WERE ATTACKING POLAND. THE POLES
HAD CHECKED THE ADVANCE OF THE TARTERS, ON MOST FRONTS,
BUT SOMEHOW THE ENEMIES MANAGED TO GET INTO THE CITY
OF KRAKOW. ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY HAD FLED WHEN
THEY HEARD THE TARTERS WERE COMING. ONLY ONE MAN
REMAINED, A TRUMPETER, WHO HAD VOWED TO PLAY A HYMN
TO THE VIRGIN MARY ON HIS TRUMPET EVERY DAY IN THE TOWER
OF MARY'S CHURCH IN THE CITY. SINCE HE HAD MADE THIS
VOW, HE COULD NOT FLEE. SO, WHILE THE TARTERS WERE
INVADING THE CITY, THIS TRUMPETER WAS IN THE TOWER
PLAYING. SUDDENLY, HE WAS HIT IN THE HEART BY AN ARROW
OF ONE OF THE TARTERS. HE STOPPED HIS PLAYING IN
MID-NOTE AND DROPPED DEAD. TO THIS DAY, THE POLES PLAY
AND SING THIS HYMN, WHICH THEY CALL THE "HYMN OF THE
BROKEN NOTE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POLISH TRADITION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
ONCE A BOY DID NOT SWALLOW THE EUCHARIST, BUT TOOK
IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH. HE TOOK IT HOME AND CUT IT
IN HALF WITH A KNIFE. IT BLED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT WAS SKEPTICAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): COMMUNION, SACRAMENT TRANS-SUBSTANTIATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
JESUS HELPS THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES
ONE DAY JESUS WAS TAKING A WALK WITH PETER DOWN AN OLD
ROAD. THEY SAW A MAN WITH A DONKEY BY THE SIDE OF THE
ROAD, THE DONKEY GOT STUCK IN THE MUD. THE MAN FELL DOWN
ON HIS KNEES AND HE STARTED PRAYING, "GOD, OH GOD, PULL
MY DONKEY OUT OF THE MUD." BUT JESUS JUST KEPT WALKING
BY. AS HE KEPT WALKING, ANOTHER MAN AND DONKEY WERE
STUCK IN THE MUD. BUT THE MAN WAS CUSSING, SWEARING,
SAYING, "YOU DAMN BASTARD MULE." AS HE SWORE HE WAS
PULLING AND PUSHING THE DONKEY. JESUS WENT DOWN AND
HELPED HIM.
AFTER, PETER ASKED JESUS, "WHY DID YOU HELP THIS MAN
WHO CUSSED, AND NOT THE MAN WHO PRAYED?" JESUS SAID
THAT HE HELPED HIM 'CAUSE HE WAS HELPING HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL TALE RESOURCEFULNESS REWARDED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-24-1972
MARTIN LUTHER
WHEN I WAS LITTLE, MAMIE CLEANED OUR HOUSE EVERY TWO
WEEKS. SHE WAS THE ONLY NON-CATHOLIC, IT SEEMS, I
KNEW. MAMIE USED VINEGAR AND WATER TO WASH WINDOWS
AND I USED TO ASK HER WHY SHE DIDN'T USE "WINDEX"
OR SOMETHING I WOULD SEE IN A MAGAZINE. SHE TOLD ME
SINCE SHE WAS LUTHERAN AND OUR DUST WAS CATHOLIC,
SHE HAD TO USE VINEGAR BLESSED BY MARTIN LUTHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SAINT IGNATIUS LOYOLA, JUST BEFORE FOUNDING THE JESUIT
ORDER, HEARD HIS FRIEND, FRANCIS OF ASSISSI SAY THAT
WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE
WORLD BUT SUFFERS THE LOSS OF HIS SOUL. HE WAS
TALKED INTO JOINING THE SEMINARY.
Submitter comment:
HE WAS TOLD THIS BY A SEMINARIAN OF THE PASSIONIST
ORDER OF MISSOURI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 04-00-1965
IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED AMONG THE SISTERS OF THE
CARMEL OF THE DIVINE HEART, THAT THE MOTHER FOUNDRESS
DECIDED UPON THE TYPE OF GARB THE COMMUNITY SHOULD
WEAR, WHEN SHE SAW A VISION OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER,
IN WHICH SHE WAS WEARING THE HABIT WHICH THE SISTERS
STILL WEAR TODAY.
Submitter comment:
I RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION FROM THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH
HOME FOR THE AGED (DETROIT), IN 1961.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001961 SUMMER
LEGEND OF THE VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE
THE MEXICAN FAMILY WITH WHOM I STAYED TOLD ME THIS
STORY OF HOW DEVOTION TO THE VIRGIN DE GUADALUPE
CAME ABOUT:
AN INDIAN WALKING ALONG IN SEARCH OF THE LAST RITES
FOR A DYING UNCLE, MEETS A BEAUTIFUL CHILD, DRESSED
LIKE AN INDIAN MAIDEN. THIS CHILD MADE THE INDIAN
GATHER ROSES AND IT WAS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER! THE
INDIAN GATHERED THESE ROSES AND PLACED THEM IN HIS
"PONCHO." ON RETURNING TO HIS VILLAGE, THE INDIAN
OPENED HIS "PONCHO" TO SHOW THE ROSES AND INSTEAD OF
ROSES, THERE APPEARED, PAINTED ON HIS "PONCHO" THE
IMAGE OF A DARK-SKINNED VIRGIN WHO STOOD UPON THE
MOON.
Submitter comment:
I MADE THIS ENTRY JAN. 30, 1967. I SPENT THE SUMMER
OF 1965 IN A SMALL MEXICAN VILLAGE HEUTZU
AND HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY OF OBSERVING THE PEOPLE AND OF
PARTICIPATING IN THEIR ACTIVITIES.
Where learned: MEXICO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001965 SUMMER
MIRACULOUS BATH WATER
SOME FOURTH GRADERS I TAUGHT INFORMED ME OF A STORY
THAT THEIR THIRD GRADE TEACHER, SR. WILMA, HAD TOLD THEM
THE YEAR BEFORE:
JUST ABOUT THE TIME JESUS WAS BORN, ANOTHER LADY IN
BETHLEHEM HAD A BABY, TOO. THIS BABY WAS ALL
CRIPPLED. ONE DAY, JESUS' MOTHER WAS GIVING HIM A
BATH. THE LADY KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT
MARY'S BABY, AND ASKED TO USE THE SAME WATER. WHEN SHE
TOOK HER LITTLE BOY OUT OF THE WATER, HE WASN'T
CRIPPLED ANY MORE.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS STORY WHEN I WAS A TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL
MENTIONED ABOVE.
Data entry tech comment: I WILL PARAPHRASE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; SAINT ISAAC JOGUES SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
A LESSON IN KINDNESS TO STRANGERS
JESUS AND PETRUS WERE WALKING AROUND LITTLE VILLAGES IN
GERMANY. THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW WHO THEY
WERE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE WERE
REALLY LIKE, IF THEY WERE KIND TO STRANGERS.
WHEN THEY GOT TO SIPPLINGEN, A LITTLE VILLAGE, THEM
PEOPLE WAS SO NICE AND KIND AND GAVE THEM FOOD AND A
PLACE TO SLEEP. SO THEN JESUS AND PETRUS TOLD THEM WHO
THEY WAS. THEN JESUS SAYS, "SEE THEM FIELDS? NOW PRETTY
SOON YOU GONNA HAVE GRAPES."
THEN THE PEOPLE WAS SO HAPPY AND THEY MADE UP WINE FROM
ALL THESE GRAPES.
THEN THE WORD ABOUT THE GRAPES WENT BACK TO UVERLINGEN,
A VILLAGE WHERE JESUS AND PETRUS WAS BEFORE SIPPLINGEN.
THEN THESE PEOPLE WAS RUNNING TO JESUS AND PETRUS AND
SAYING, "PLEASE COME BACK TO OUR VILLAGE. WE DIDN'T
KNOW YOU WAS JESUS AND PETRUS."
SO THEY ALL WENT BACK TO THAT VILLAGE AND THE PEOPLE SAY,
"JESUS, WHY YOU WON'T GIVE US SOME GRAPES, TOO?" JESUS
SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT." AND HE DONE THIS. PETRUS
DIDN'T LIKE THIS AND SAY TO JESUS, "THEY WAS NOT KIND TO
US BEFORE. WHY YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM GRAPES?" BUT
JESUS SAY, "KEEP QUIET, PETRUS. I KNOW MY WORK."
BUT AFTER JESUS AND PETRUS GO AWAY AND THE PEOPLE
MAKE THE WINE AND TASTE IT, THEY FIND OUT IT WAS SOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: UNCERTAIN