Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IT IS THE AMISH CUSTOM FOR ONLY THE MEN AND THE
ELDERS TO ATTEND SUNDAY SERVICES, WHICH ARE HELD IN THE
DEACONS' HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOOK BUILDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
ITALIAN CHURCH SERVICES
ITALIAN MEN SELDOM ATTEND CHURCH SERVICES AND THE
CEREMONY IS REGARDED MUCH LIKE A SOCIAL FUNCTION
WHERE THE PEOPLE WILL TALK OUT LOUD, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 03-04-1968
MEN AND WOMEN WOULD GO TO CHURCH TOGETHER, BUT ONCE
INSIDE THEY WOULD SIT SEPARATELY.
Submitter comment: MR. VALKEN SAID THIS HAS CHANGED NOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
THE CHURCH HAD ONLY A FEW PEWS IN WHICH THE VERY OLD
AND LAME SAT. EVERYONE ELSE HAD TO STAND. IT WAS
CONSIDERED VERY SHAMEFUL FOR THE ABLE-BODIED TO SIT.
Submitter comment: VILLAGE CHURCH IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SCOTTISH CUSTOM
WHEN A SCOTTISH FAMILY GO TO CHURCH THE FATHER GOES
INTO THE PEW FIRST. THEN THE MOTHER AND THEN
THE OLDEST CHILDREN ON DOWN TO THE YOUNGEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
CHURCH CUSTOM
FOR JEWISH PEOPLE WHO BELONG TO AN ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE,
MEN AND WOMEN SIT SEPARATELY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS CUSTOM IS PRESENT TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
A WOMAN IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE INSIDE ALTAR IN CHURCH.
IT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
IN BRAZIL, DOGS ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM THROUGH CHURCHES
WITHOUT BEING BOTHERED EVEN WHILE MASS IS PERFORMED.
THIS IS BECAUSE IN A GOSPEL STORY, A DOG LICKED THE
SORES OF THE LEPER, LAZARUS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT FOUND THIS ANNOYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOLY WATER
WHEN YOU BLESS YOURSELF WITH HOLY WATER, YOU SHOULD
SPRINKLE SOME ON THE FLOOR TO SAVE THE SOULS
IN PURGATORY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
WHEN YOU GENUFLECT TO THE LORD, YOU DO SO ON
YOUR RIGHT KNEE. WHEN YOU GENUFLECT TO THE PEOPLE
YOU DO SO ON YOUR LEFT KNEE.
WHEN SAYING THE CONFITEOR, YOU BEAT YOUR BREAST THREE (3)
TIMES ON THE WORDS, "THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY
FAULT, THROUGH MY MOST GREVIOUS FAULT." THIS IS DONE
TO IMPOSE PUNISHMENT FOR YOUR SINS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON ORTHODOX EASTER (JULIAN CALENDAR) HOLY WATER IS
DRUNK AFTER MORNING SERVICES. IF THE WATER IS DRUNK
IT IS SUPPOSED TO CLEANSE THE SOUL.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH I DO NOT BELIEVE HOLY WATER CLEANSES THE
SOUL, A BOTTLE OF THIS WATER IS KEPT IN OUR HOME
FROM EASTER ON. IF IT IS NOT USED, IT IS MERELY
EXCHANGED FOR ANOTHER NEXT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 11-20-1971
IN SOME CHURCHES THERE IS WHAT IS CALLED THE "AMEN
SECTION." THIS IS USED FOR EXACTLY WHAT IT'S NAMED,
FOR SHOUTING "AMEN" AT THE PROPER TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
THIS RELIGIOUS GROUP OF PEOPLE CALLED "JESUS'S" NAME
OVER AND OVER IN ORDER TO GET RELIGION. THEY DO THIS
UNTIL THEY CAN SAY NOTHING BUT JESUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 01-17-1972
SERVICE IN A NEGRO BAPTIST CHURCH
I WENT TO THE SUNDAY SERVICE WITH A FRIEND, ERNESTENE
STEPHENS, WHOSE FATHER, JASPER STEPHENS, IS ONE OF THE
PREACHERS OF THE CHURCH. BEFORE THE SERVICE BEGAN,
A WOMAN SEATED NEXT TO ME, AFTER SHE DISCOVERED THAT
I WAS A STRANGER, WELCOMED ME WARMLY.
THE SERVICE BEGAN WITH THE PROCESSION OF THE CHOIR
TO THEIR SEATS, WHICH WERE LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND
THE PULPUT.
THERE WERE SEVERAL SPEAKERS. AFTER EVERY PHRASE OF THE
SPEAKER, PEOPLE IN THE CONGREGATION, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,
SHOUT "YES, LORD," "HAVE MERCY" OR SOMETHING SIMILAR,
OR ELSE THEY REPEAT THE LAST WORDS THE PREACHER HAS JUST
SAID. THUS THERE IS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE
PEOPLE IN THE SERVICE.
THE ORGAN IS CONTINUALLY PLAYED SOFTLY DURING THE
SPEAKING. THE SPEAKER HIMSELF STARTS OUT IN A NORMAL
VOICE AND MANNER. AS HE PROGRESSES HE GETS LOUDER,
MORE INVOLVED AND MORE EMPHATIC. SOON HIS WORDS
SOUND LIKE AN IMPROMPTU PRAYER TO THE LORD. HE IS
INTENSE, AND CHANTS HIS WORDS, LINE FOR LINE. AND
AS HE GETS LOUDER AND MORE INVOLVED, SO DOES THE
CONGREGATION BECOME LOUDER AND MORE INVOLVED. AFTER
THE SPEAKER FINISHED, THE CHOIR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO
SING. THE ORGANIST HAD ALREADY BEEN PLAYING THEIR
INTRODUCTION DURING THE PREACHING.
I NOTICED THAT THE CONGREGATION WAS SEATED, IN THIS
CHURCH, AROUND THE PREACHER IN A PARTIAL CIRCLE. THE
USHERS, WHO WERE WOMEN, WERE DRESSED IN DARK UNIFORMS
(NAVY) AND WHITE GLOVES. THEY DIRECTED PEOPLE TO SEATS
AND PASSED THE COLLECTION BOWLS DOWN THE PEWS. FOR
THE FIRST COLLECTION, THE MISSION GIVING, MOSTLY COINS
WERE COLLECTED.
BEFORE THIS OFFERING A SECOND SPEAKER HAD SPOKEN AND THE
PEOPLE ANSWERED, "AMEN" TO HIS "I'M HAPPY NOW." A THIRD
SPEAKER AROSE AND OFFERED A PRAYER.
AFTER HIM, A SOLOIST STARTED TO SING "I HAVE A LONG WAY
TO GO," (TO BE LIKE HIM (CAPITAL H) WITH BACKGROUND
ACCOMPANIMENT BY THE CHOIR. SHE SANG OUT WITH MUCH
FEELING. IN FACT, SHE GOT SO INVOLVED SHE BECAME
HYSTERICAL (OR AS SOME SAY, SHE GOT "HAPPY"). SHE
CONTINUALLY REPEATED "YES, LORD," "YES, LORD," VERY
INTENSELY. WHILE A FELLOW CHOIR MEMBER CALMED HER
DOWN, THE CHOIR STARTED SINGING.
THE FOURTH SPEAKER, WHO WAS NOT THE PASTOR BUT WHO
SEEMED TO HAVE SOME AUTHORITY, MADE SEVERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
ASKED THE VISITORS IN THE CONGREGATION TO STAND UP
AND WELCOMED THEM. HE INTRODUCED THE NEXT SPEAKER,
DR. GREEN, WHO REVEALED THAT HE WAS 83 YEARS OLD,
ALTHOUGH HE CERTAINLY DIDN'T LOOK IT. HE IS QUITE
AN ACTIVE MAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE CHURCH, WHO TRAVELS
AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THE NEXT COLLECTION, THE GENERAL OFFERING , WAS THE BIG
ONE. DOLLAR BILLS AND ENVELOPES WERE PUT INTO THE BOWL
THIS TIME. SOME OF THE CONGREGATION, HOWEVER, WENT UP
TO THE FRONT, IN FRONT OF THE PULPIT, TO HAND IN THEIR
OFFERINGS.
AFTER THE NEXT SPEAKER, WHO TALKED WHILE THE CHOIR SANG,
THE CONGREGATION SANG A HYMN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY
WERE SINGING, IF ANYTHING. I COULDN'T DISTINGUISH ANY
WORDS. THE HYMN SOUNDED LIKE A CHANTING GROAN,
ALTHOUGH EVERYONE CHANTED THE SAME NOTES AS EVERYONE
ELSE AT THE SAME TIME.
THE NEXT SPEAKER, JASPER STEVENS, TALKED ABOUT
"SLEEPING CHRISTIANS," IN A TROUBLED WORLD. HE COMPARED
US TO JONAH (WHO) SLEPT ON BOARD THE SHIP HE WAS ON,
TRYING TO RUN AWAY FROM GOD'S COMMAND TO PREACH TO
NINEVE (NINEVAH). HE RECALLED THE ENTIRE STORY OF JONAH,
BUT HE MADE IT MORE PERSONAL AND MORE ALIVE AND MORE
RELEVANT TO THE LIVES OF HIS LISTENERS. HE USED MUCH
VIVID DESCRIPTION. HE ALSO BECAME INVOLVED AND
STARTED CHANTING.
A WOMAN IN THE CONGREGATION BECAME, LIKE THE SOLOIST,
EARLIER, MUCH INVOLVED. SHE REPEATED "YES, LORD,"
WHILE A NURSE APPEARED TO CALM HER DOWN. I WAS
SURPRISED AT THE PRESENCE OF THE NURSE. APPARENTLY,
THE CHURCH HAS ONE AT THE SERVICES FOR THE SPECIFIC
PURPOSE OF CALMING PEOPLE DOWN. I WOULD TELL THAT
MANY PEOPLE BECAME INTENSELY INVOLVED BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH
I FELT COLD, THEY WERE FANNING THEMSELVES AS THOUGH
THEY FELT HOT.
AT THE LAST OFFERING, THE CONSECRATION OFFERING, COINS
AGAIN WERE COLLECTED.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE SERVICE, EVERYONE IN THE PEWS
SHOOK HANDS. TO ME, THIS SEEMED VERY MUCH LIKE THE
KISS OF PEACE IN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-24-1967
CHILDREN USUALLY MADE THEIR FIRST COMMUNION WHEN THEY
WERE SEVEN YEARS OLD. AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN OR TWELVE,
THE CHILDREN MADE WHAT WAS CALLED THE BIG COMMUNION.
AT THIS TIME, BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS WERE DRESSED IN WHITE
AND ON THEIR ARM WAS A THING WITH GOLD FRINGES, THIS WAS
THE GREATEST THING. THEN THEY MADE THEIR COMMUNION AS
A GROUP.
Submitter comment: IN BELGIUM, TWENTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
FIRST COMMUNION
IN CANADA, THE FIRST COMMUNION PARTIES WERE STRICTLY
FOR THE CHILDREN. NO LIQUOR WAS SERVED AND THE PARENTS
SPENT THE DAY PLAYING WITH THE CHILDREN.
IN AMERICA THE PARENTS AND CHILDREN SEPARATE AND LIQUOR
IS SERVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NUNS TAUGHT MY FIRST COMMUNION
CLASS AT ST. MARY'S, MIAMI, FLORIDA, NOT TO CHEW
THE HOST BECAUSE IT WOULD HURT JESUS IF WE DID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN YOU FOLD YOUR HANDS WHEN GOING TO COMMUNION, YOU
CROSS YOUR THUMBS TO FORM A CROSS. THIS IS TO
REMIND YOU OF JESUS DYING ON THE CROSS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A WOMAN MUST NEVER TAKE COMMUNION WHILE MENSTRUATING.
SHE IS UNCLEAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 11-19-1971
WHEN YOU RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, THE FIRST THING YOU
SHOULD EAT AFTER THAT IS A PIECE OF BREAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS. SHE COULDN'T VOCALIZE
ANY REASON FOR DOING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 02-22-1970