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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FATHER KOELZER'S DOG'S BIRTHDAY
I ATTENDED A PAROCHIAL GRADE SCHOOL, CHRIST THE KING, FROM
1953 TO 1961. EVERY YEAR THE PASTOR, REV. J. HENRY KOELZER , WOULD
MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE GRADE SCHOOL CHILDREN ASSEMBLED FOR
THE DAILY 8:00 MASS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE ON
APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 9, 10, OR 11TH ANNUALLY. FATHER KOELZER
WOULD SAY, "WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER LIKE YOURSELVES, I HAD A LITTLE
DOG HARVEY, AND I LOVED MY DOG. 'E WAS A GOOD DOG AND HE FOLLOWED ME
EVERYWHERE. ONE DAY, BOTH HARVEY AND I WERE OLDER, AND HE GOT
SICK. WHEN I WAS TALKING TO HIM, I'D SAY THAT I'D ALWAYS
REMEMBER HIS BIRTHDAY, BECAUSE HE MEANT SO MUCH TO ME. HARVEY
DIED A SHORT TIME LATER. AND SO, CHILDREN, HARVEY'S BIRTHDAY WAS
OCTOBER 12, AND I'M REMEMBERING IT BY GIVING YOU A DAY OFF FROM
SCHOOL ON THAT DAY."
Submitter comment:
IT WASN'T UNTIL LATER THAT I CONNECTED THIS BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY FROM
SCHOOL WITH COLUMBUS DAY. SINCE OCTOBER 12 WAS COLUMBUS DAY, AND
WAS A SECULAR HOLIDAY, I CAME TO BELIEVE THAT FATHER KOELZER WAS
HONORING CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AS WELL AS HIS DOG HARVEY, IN GIVING
US THIS HOLIDAY FROM SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F102 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00001950S
EASTER FOOD TRADITION
THE SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER, YOU TAKE A BASKET FILLED WITH COLORED
EGGS, BREAD, KABOSA, BUTTERLAMB, SALT AND PEPPER TO THE PRIEST WHO
WILL BLESS THE FOOD WITH HOLY WATER ALLOWING IT TO BE EATEN
ON EASTER.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA00001960S
HOLY THURSDAY
MRS. KEHOE'S FAMILY ALWAYS VISITED TEN CHURCHES ON HOLY
THURSDAY. IT USED TO BE A CATHOLIC TRADITION.
THE CHURCHES WERE SET UP WITH BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARANGEMENTS
ON THE ALTARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday 686 First / Once / One / Newness CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 12-03-1982
UKRAINIAN BLESSING OF FRUIT
THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION ON AUGUST 6 IS CELEBRATED
IN THE BYZANTINE CHURCH WITH THE BLESSING OF FRUIT WHICH IS
AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE PLENTIFUL HARVEST. FOLLOWING
THE MASS, THE PRIEST READS SPECIAL PRAYERS ASKING FOR A
BLESSING ON THOSE WHO PARTAKE OF THE FRUIT. HE THEN SPRINKLES
THE FRUIT WITH HOLY WATER. THE CUSTOM OF BRINGING THE FRUIT
VARIES WITH THE PARISHES. IN SOME PARISHES, THE PARISH BUYS
BUSHELS OF FRUIT AND FOLLOWING THE BLESSING IT IS DISTRIBUTED
TO THE PARISHONERS. IN OTHER PARISHES, EACH FAMILY BRINGS
A BASKET OR DISH OF FRUIT WHICH IS TAKEN HOME FOLLOWING THE
BLESSING.
Submitter comment:
THE BLESSED FRUIT IS THE FIRST FOOD EATEN WHEN THE FAMILY
RETURNS HOME.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Date learned: 00001950S
FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS-SEPTEMBER 14
UKRAINIANS OF THE BYZANTINE RITE VENERATE THE CROSS IN A
SPECIAL MANNER ON THIS DAY. FLOWERS, USUALLY RED ROSES OR
CARNATIONS ARE ARRANGED ON A WIRE BACKING. THE CROSS IS THEN
PLACED ON TOP OF THE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT WITH A CHALICE PATEN
UNDER IT. A RED MATERIAL, SOMETIMES A PART OF THE PRIEST'S
VESTMENT, IS TIED AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE CROSS AND THE STEMS
OF THE FLOWERS. IT IS CARRIED AROUND THE ALTAR BY THE PRIEST
BEFORE THE FIRST MASS OF THE DAY. THEN IT IS PLACED ON A
PILLOW ON THE TETRAPOD, A SMALL TABLE IN THE FRONT CENTER OF
THE CHURCH. THE CROSS AND THE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT UNDER IT
REMAIN THERE FOR A WEEK FOR VENERATION BY THE FAITHFUL. THE
CROSS IS KISSED UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE CHURCH. AFTER
EACH SERVICE THE CONGREGATION SINGS THREE TIMES THE PHRASE
O LORD, WE ADORE THY CROSS AND GLORIFY THY HOLY RESURRECTION.
AFTER EACH SINGING, A PROFOUND BOW IS MADE BY THE PEOPLE.
MANY OF OUR OLDER WOMEN CONSIDER THE DEAD FLOWERS TO BE A
SACRAMENTAL AND ASK TO TAKE THEM HOME WHEN THE ARRANGEMENT
IS TAKEN APART. SOME KEEP THEM ON DRESSERS, IN PRAYER BOOKS,
AND IN THEIR BIBLES.
Submitter comment:
THE UKRAINIANS ALSO VENERATE THE CROSS IN A SIMILAR MANNER
ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): FLOWERS
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 14 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Plant SPEECH -- Religious |
Date learned: 00001950S
UKRAINIAN GREETING FOR A BISHOP
THE GREETING OF A BISHOP, ARCHBISHOP OR CARDINAL BY THE
UKRAINIANS FOLLOWS CERTAIN CUSTOMS. WHEN THE DIGNITARY
ARRIVES AT THE CHURCH DOOR, HE IS MET BY THE PASTOR, AN
ELDERLY PARISHONER OR CHURCH PIONEER AND A LITTLE GIRL.
THE PIONEER HOLDS A TRAY ON WHICH AN EMBROIDERED CLOTH
HAS BEEN PLACED. A ROUND BREAD WITH A CANDLE IN THE CENTER
IS PLACED ON THE TRAY TOGETHER WITH A CONTAINER OF SALT.
SOMETIMES A SYMBOLIC KEY IS ALSO ON THE TRAY. THE ELDERLY
PARISHONER EXTENDS THE TRAY TO THE CHURCH DIGNITARY FOR
A BLESSING. THE GIRL, OFTEN DRESSED IN A FULL UKRAINIAN
COSTUME OF BOOTS, SKIRT, BLOUSE, VEST AND HEADPIECE, THEN
PRESENTS A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO THE DIGNITARY. THE TWO
PEOPLE MAKING THE PRESENTATIONS EXTEND A FEW WORDS OF
WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH. THEN THE PASTOR LEADS
THE DIGNITARY DOWN THE AISLE AT WHICH TIME HE BLESSES
THE CONGREGATION.
Submitter comment:
THIS FORMAL WELCOME WOULD BE EXTENDED ON AN OFFICIAL
VISIT SUCH AS A PARISH VISITATION.
Where learned: CANADA ; ALBERTA ; MUNDARE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001940S
EPIPHANY-JANUARY 6
FOR UKRAINIANS VARIOUS EVENTS ARE COMMEMORATED ON THIS
DAY WHICH IS ALSO CALLED "THEOPHANY" OR MANIFESTATION. IT
CELEBRATES THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST AND THEREFORE WATER IS
BLESSED IN THE CHURCHES. THE BLESSING FOLLOWS THE MASS
WHEN THE PRIEST SUBMERGES THREE SETS OF THREE LIGHTED
CANDLES. A CRUCIFIX IS ALSO MOVED THROUGH THE WATER IN
THE FORM OF A CROSS. THE PEOPLE FILL THEIR JARS WITH HOLY
WATER TO BRING HOME. EACH PERSON DRINKS SOME HOLY WATER
AND SOME IS POURED INTO THE HOLY WATER FONTS. IN THE WEEKS
FOLLOWING EPIPHANY, THE PASTOR VISITS THE HOMES OF HIS
PARISHONERS TO BLESS THEM. THE HOLY WATER IS ALSO USED FOR
BLESSING FARMS, CATTLE, AND CROPS. ON SPECIAL FEAST DAYS,
THE CHURCH ALSO BLESSES FRUIT, FLOWERS, AND FOOD. IT IS ALSO
USED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS.
Submitter comment:
TO UKRAINIANS ALL BODIES OF WATER SUCH AS LAKES, RIVERS,AND
PONDS WERE CONSIDERED HOLY. THE BLESSING OF WATER IN THE
UKRAINE TOOK PLACE AT THE EDGE OF THE RIVER NOT IN THE
PARISH CHURCH.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): THREE
Date learned: 00001950S
EPIPHANY CEREMONY
EACH YEAR ON THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY, JANUARY 6, THE FATHER
USING A WHITE CHALK, MAKES A CROSS OVER EACH DOORWAY.
NEXT TO THE CROSS HE WRITES THE YEAR. IT'S SYMBOLIC OF
ASKING GOD'S BLESSING ON ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE ROOMS
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THE CROSS, SYMBOLIC OF CHRIST,
REMINDED EACH PERSON THAT GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF AT THE
BAPTISM OF JESUS IN THE JORDAN RIVER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
Date learned: 00001970S
AS A YOUNG, CATHOLIC CHILD, THE INFORMANT WAS
FAMILIAR WITH THE CHURCH'S OPINION OF SINNERS. AT
THE PART OF THE MASS WHEN THE CONGREGATION CHANTED,
"LAMB OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON US. LAMB OF GOD, HAVE
MERCY ON US. LAMB OF GOD, GRANT US PEACE," THE
INFORMANT RECITED, WITH GREAT RELIGIOUS ZEAL,
"LAMB OF GOD, HAMMER SINNERS. LAMB OF GOD, HAMMER
SINNERS. LAMB OF GOD, GRANT US PEACE!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
DURING THE NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL,
VARIOUS PENANCE PRACTICES WERE ENCOURAGED, AND ONE PRACTICE
WAS KNOWN AS THE "DISCIPLINE." THE DISCIPLINE WAS SELF-
WHIPPING WITH A SMALL FLOGGING INSTRUMENT. NOVICES WERE
ENCOURAGED TO FLOG THEMSELVES EACH EVENING FOR THE LENGTH
OF AN "OUR FATHER" AS A FORM OF PENANCE, AND THERE WAS A HIGH
DEGREE OF CONFORMITY DUE TO PEER PRESSURE.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
DURING THE NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL,
VARIOUS PENANCE PRACTICES WERE ENCOURAGED. ONE OF THESE
PRACTICES WAS KNOWN AS THE CHAINS, WHICH INVOLVED WEARING
A METAL CHAIN AS A BELT UNDERNEATH ONE'S CASSOCK. THE BELT
WAS DESIGNED SO THAT SMALL METAL PRONGS JABBED ONE'S STOMACH
TO MAKE THEM FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. THE PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT WAS
VIEWED AS APPROPRIATE PENANCE FOR ONE'S SINS. THE BELT WAS
WORN THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AND MANY NOVICES FOLLOWED THIS
PRACTICE DUE TO PEER PRESSURE AND CONFORMITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
A COMMON PENANCE PRACTICE DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE
PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL WAS "PARVA MENSA"
DURING THE DINNER MEAL. THIS PRACTICE ENTAILED KNEELING
AT THE TABLE FOR THE ENTIRE MEAL HOUR AS A SIGN OF PENANCE
FOR ONE'S SINS. THIS PRACTICE WAS ENCOURAGED FOR THE
SAKE OF HUMILITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
A COMMON PENANCE PRACTICE DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE
PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL WAS TO KNEEL WITH
HANDS EXTENDED DURING THE EVENING MEAL GRACE. THIS
WAS CONSIDERED A PENANCE PRACTICE AND A SIGN OF HUMILITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE PRACTICES
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN
COUNCIL, "CULPAS" WERE OFTEN PERFORMED DURING THE EVENING
MEAL. CULPA IS A LATIN WORD MEANING "FAULTS". CULPAS
WERE PUBLIC CONFESSIONS MADE DURING DINNER IN FRONT OF
THE COMMUNITY. OFTEN THE CONFESSOR WOULD KISS THE FEET
OF CERTAIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS UPON FINISHING HIS CONFESSION
AS A SIGN OF PENANCE AND HUMILITY.
Submitter comment: THIS PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ENCOURAGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, A NOVICE WAS
ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES KISSING COMMUNITY MEMBERS' FEET
DURING THE EVENING MEAL AS A SIGN OF PENANCE AND HUMILITY
WHEN THE SERVERS ACCIDENTLY DUMPED THE SOUP TRAY ON TOP
OF HIM. HE WAS PERFORMING A "CULPA" WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
Submitter comment:
CULPAS WERE PUBLIC CONFESSIONS DURING DINNER PRACTICED IN
THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE CUSTOMS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE PRIOR TO THE SECOND VATICAN
COUNCIL, NOVICES WERE DISCOURAGED FROM FORMING "PARTICULAR
FRIENDSHIPS". TO DISCOURAGE CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS, NOVICES
HAD TO GO ON WALKS WITH AT LEAST TWO OTHER NOVICES, AND
NOVICES WERE ASSIGNED PARTNERS TO WALK WITH.
Submitter comment: THIS POLICY IS NO LONGER PRACTICED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, FR. ED SCHMIDT
TAUGHT LATIN CLASSES. BECAUSE THE NOVITIATE WAS SILENT
AND POPULAR MUSIC WAS BANNED, FR. SCHMIDT SECRETLY PLACED
INTERLUDES OF "BEATLES" IN THE LANGUAGE LAB TAPES. THE
TAPES BECAME POPULAR, AND AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSED, THE
INTERLUDES OF MUSIC INCREASED AS THE LATIN DECREASED.
James Callow comment: THE BEATLES WERE A POPULAR GROUP OF MUSICIANS FROM ENGLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, THERE WAS THE
STORY OF THE JESUIT NOVICE HAVING A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
DURING MASS. HE BEGAN TO GROAN LOUDLY, AND WAS TAKEN
MYSTERIOUSLY FROM THE NOVITIATE NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, THE STATUE
OF ST. JOSEPH WAS MYSTERIOUSLY BEING TURNED AROUND. ONE
DAY THE SUPERIOR FOUND ST. JOE TURNED AROUND WITH AN AXE
IN HIS BACK. THE DISTRAUGHT SUPERIOR CALLED IN A
PSYCHIATRIST WHO SUGGESTED MORE DIVERSITY IN THE LIVING
ARRANGEMENT. THE PSYCHIATRIST THOUGHT MORE DIVERSITY
WOULD LEAD TO A BETTER PSYCHOLOGICAL ATMOSPHERE. THE
SUPERIOR TOOK THE ADVICE OF THE PSYCHIATRIST, AND ADDED
NEW AND DIFFERENT COLOR INK BLOTTERS TO EACH ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
WHILE WORKING IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI IN 1980, I HEARD
VARIOUS STORIES BY HAITIANS REGARDING VARIOUS VOODOO PRACTICES.
I WAS WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE, AND THE SISTER IN CHARGE OF
THE ORPHANAGE, SISTER VERONICA, INFORMED US THAT THE
BUILDING NEXT DOOR WAS A VOODOO TEMPLE. DURING EVENING
VOODOO WORSHIPS, BABIES WERE OFTEN KILLED AND THEIR HEARTS
BURNT AS OFFERINGS TO THE VOODOO GODS. BABIES WERE CHEAP
BECAUSE OF THE DIRE POVERTY IN HAITI. EACH EVENING, SISTER
WOULD MAKE SURE ALL THE ORPHANS WERE INSIDE AND SECURE
SO VOODOO WORSHIPERS WOULD NOT SNATCH THE CHILDREN.
SISTER INFORMED US THAT HUNDREDS OF SHRUNKEN HEADS HUNG
FROM THE CEILING OF THE TEMPLE.
Submitter comment:
I WORKED FOR A MONTH AT THIS ORPHANAGE LEARNING ABOUT THE
THIRD WORLD AND POVERTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 01-00-1980