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 P432 returned 183 results.
It is Greek belief that if one misplaces something from as small
as a ring to as large as a missing child, it can be relocated by
baking an offering known as a "Fanouropita" to St. Fanourio.
(Fanouropita means Bread of St. Fanourio.) Then taking the offering
and donating it to a church. The missing object is then said to
mysteriously turn up.
Where learned: GREECE
James Callow Keyword(s): compare St. Anthony
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Lighting candles for Blessed Lady and other Saints
My mother used to have statues of the Blessed Mother, Joseph,
Anthony, the Madonna, etc, that were about six or seven feet tall.
They were the same size statues as one would find in a Church. We
used to light a candle in front of the Saints and then say a
prayer to that patron Saint in order to help us. We usually
prayed for the health of our family, grades in school, the
happiness of our family, etc. The only two things my mother
always told me to remember were that the prayers would only work
if we prayed for family members, and that we must have a whole-
hearted belief in our faith or the prayers could not work.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Carlstadt
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1924
Polish Birthday Celebration
It was the custom in Poland, and in some families still exists,
that a birth day is not celebrated. The celebration is for the
feast day of the saint after whom the person was named. For
example, if a boy is named Joseph, he would celebrate St. Joseph's
feast day.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Many Irish people climb the mountain Crogh Patrick for penance
on St Patrick's Day. Some of the older generation still climb the
mountain in their bare feet as was traditional. Climbing Crogh
Patrick is done to celebrate St. Patrick's bringing of
Christianity to Ireland.
Where learned: IRELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Martin Luther King Holiday
This holiday (the 3rd Monday of January) was passed in honor
of a man (born January 15, 1929) who stood for peace and equality
for all. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee (1968) at the
age of 39. It is the first legal holiday honoring a Black or
Afro-American. In 1986, the automotive industry started
celebrating the Monday following Easter (called "Easter Monday")
as its holiday honoring Dr. King. As of this year (1992), the
automotive industry has two "paid holidays" honoring Dr. King.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Black History
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Secular hero |
When I was younger it was always a tradition, among the Poles
in Detroit especially, that the day after Christmas, St. Stephen's
Day, a person would take nuts and throw it at another person.
This was done as a greeting in the morning. The symbolism of this
tradition was to remember that St. Stephen was stoned to
death.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
On December 5th, the eve to St. Nicholas Day, I would put my
shoes by the front door in hopes that St. Nicholas would leave me
a present as he passed by my home. I always remember getting a
small present that I wanted or best of all some money. It was
exciting to wake up and find what I thought then was enough money
to make me the richest girl in the world, a lot of pennies,
nickels, dimes, and quarters. My parents warned us that if we were
not good St. Nicholas would only leave a piece of straw or a stick.
I was lucky to have always received a present; however, I remember
my older sister getting only a stick in her shoe. I knew then that
my parents were telling us the absolute truth. I hope to continue
this Polish tradition someday with my children.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
Saint Nicholas Eve
December 5 is Saint Nick's Eve. Saint Nicholas used to visit
the people in towns and gave dowry money to the poor so the girls
could get married (gold coins). So now, we put our shoes by the
front door so St. Nicholas will bring us gold-foil-covered
chocolate coins, candy canes, and a small toy, pen or pencil.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001960'S
When you want to sell your house, you should bury a statue (or
small figure) of Saint Francis in the backyard so you can sell your
house.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001950S
At the Jewish Passover meal, the Jewish people leave an empty
chair for the prophet Elijah, in case he happens to come by.
Submitter comment:
From being a Girl Scout Leader, my mom had to do research on a
different country every year, and she remembered this little fact
from one of those years.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Movable Date BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 00001980'S
Bury a statue of St. Joseph upside down in your garden, if
your house is for sale it will sell immediately.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero |
IF ST. ELMO'S FIRE APPEARS AROUND A SHIP IT IS A
SURE SIGN OF BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I SAW THIS ON TELEVISION IN "MOBY DICK."
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): MARITIME ; ST. ELMO, PATRON OF SAILORS.
Date learned: 09-00-1967
A GIRL WHISTLING
GIRLS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO WHISTLE BECAUSE IT MAKES THE
BLESSED VIRGIN CRY WHENEVER THEY DO IT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY MOTHER, AND SHE REMEMBERS THIS FROM
HER CHILDHOOD BECAUSE MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO TELL
THIS TO HER DAUGHTERS.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.8 |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
WHEN A GIRL WANTS TO GET A GUY SHE'LL PRAY TO
SAINT ANN THUS:
GOOD ST. ANN,
GET ME A MAN,
AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
CHAIN LETTER (TRANSLATED FROM ITALIAN).
PRAYER FOUND IN THE HOLY SEPULCHER OF O.L.J.C.
COPY OF A LETTER OF PRAYER FOUND IN THE HOLY SEPULCHER
OF O.L.J.C. IN JERUSALEM KEPT IN A SILVER CASE BY HIS
HOLINESS AND BY THE CHRISTIAN EMPERORS AND EMPRESSES.
SAINT ELIZABETH QUEEN OF HUNGARY, SAINT MATILDA, AND
SAINT BRIGIDE WISHING TO KNOW SOME THINGS REGARDING
THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST, MADE CERTAIN AND SPECIFIC
PRAYERS THROUGH WHICH JESUS CHRIST APPEARED AND TOLD
THEM:
KNOW (YOU) THAT THE ARMED SOLDIERS WERE 23, THE JUDICIAL
EXECUTIONERS 83, THE PUNCHES WHICH I RECEIVED IN THE
HEAD WERE 150, IN THE BREAST 108. THE KICKS ON THE SHOULDERS
80, AND I WAS DRAGGED WITH ROPES AND BY THE HAIR 23 TIMES.
THE SPITS IN THE FACE WERE 180, BEATINGS ON THE HEART
6,666, BEATINGS ON THE HEAD 110. THEY VERY FORCIBLY
RAMMED INTO ME (ONCE), MY HEAD WAS LIFTED BY THE HAIR
ON THE 21ST HOUR (9 P.M.), I SIGHED 120 SIGHS. I WAS
DRAGGED AND PULLED BY THE BEARD 23 TIMES, WOUNDS IN THE
HEAD 20, THORNS OF (BLANK BLANK) 72. THORN WOUNDS 110.
FATAL THORNS IN THE FOREHEAD 3, AFTERWARDS FLAGELLATED
AND CLOTHED AS KING IN MOCKERY. WOUNDS ON THE BODY
(WERE) 1000. THE (NUMBER OF) SOLDIERS THAT LED ME TO
CALVARY WERE 908, THOSE THAT GUARDED ME WERE 3, DROPS
OF BLOOD THAT I SHED WERE 5,475. TO WHOMEVER RECITES
SEVEN OUR FATHERS, AVES, AND GLORIAS EACH DAY FOR 15
YEARS, TO NUMBER (OR COUNT) THE NUMBER OF DROPS OF
BLOOD WHICH I LOST, I WILL ALLOW 5 GRACES: (1) A
PLENARY INDULGENCE AND REMISSION OF ALL SINS ; (2)
HE (OR SHE) WILL BE FREED FROM THE PAINS OF PURGATORY;
(3) IF HE (OR SHE) WILL DIE BEFORE FINISHING THE 15 YEAR
DEVOTION (4) IT WILL BE AS IF HE HAD FINISHED IT AND
SHED HIS BLOOD FOR THE FAITH. (5) I WILL COME DOWN FROM
HEAVEN TO RECEIVE HIS SOUL AND THOSE OF HIS RELATIVES
UP TO THE FOURTH DEGREE.
THE ONE THAT WILL CARRY THIS PRAYER WON'T DIE BY
DROWNING, NOR OF A BAD DEATH (I.E., HE WILL DIE A GOOD
DEATH), NOR WILL HE HAVE SUDDEN DEATH. HE WILL BE
FREED FROM CONTAGION, FROM THE PLAGUE, FROM LIGHTNING,
AND WILL NOT DIE WITHOUT CONFESSION;; HE WILL BE FREED
FROM HIS ENEMIES AND FROM JUDICIARY POWER (THE ARM OF
THE LAW) AND FROM EVERYONE WHO WISHES HIM EVIL, AND
FROM FALSE WITNESSES. WOMEN THAT COULDN'T CONCEIVE
WILL CONCEIVE AND WILL BE OUT OF DANGER.
IN THE HOUSE WHERE THIS PRAYER IS KEPT, THERE WON'T
BE ANY BETRAYALS NOR ANY BAD THINGS, AND 40 DAYS
BEFORE HIS DEATH, THE ONE THAT WILL DIE, WILL SEE
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. AS SAINT GREGORY POPE SAID:
"A CERTAIN CAPTAIN TRAVELING BY LAND SAW NEAR
BARCELONA A HEAD CUT OFF WHICH SPOKE TO HIM THUS:
SINCE YOU ARE GOING TO BARCELONA, TRAVELER, BRING ME A
CONFESSOR SO I MAY RECEIVE CONFESSION, SINCE IT'S BEEN
THREE DAYS ALREADY SINCE I HAVE BEEN CUT OFF BY
THIEVES AND I CANNOT DIE UNLESS IF I HAVE NOT RECEIVED
CONFESSION. A CONFESSOR BEING LED TO THE PLACE BY THE
AFORESAID CAPTAIN, THE HEAD RECEIVED CONFESSION AND
THEN DIED. ON THE BODY FROM WHICH THE HEAD WAS CUT OFF
WAS FOUND THE FOLLOWING PRAYER; WHICH ON THAT OCCASION
WAS APPROVED BY VARIOUS TRIBUNALS OF THE HOLY JURISDIC-
TION OF SPAIN. THE AFOREMENTIONED SEVEN OUR FATHERS,
AVES, AND GLORIAS CAN BE RECITED AND APPLIED FOR WHICH
EVER SOUL ONE MAY WISH. ANOTHER SIMILAR COPY OF THE
LETTER HAS BEEN MIRACULOUSLY FOUND IN A PLACE (OR
LOCATION) CALLED PORTIS, FOUR LEAGUES FROM MARSEILLES
(OR MARSIGLIA), WRITTEN IN GOLDEN LETTERS AND BROUGHT
BY A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD CHILD OF PORTIS.
AN ADDITIONAL DECLARATION OF JANUARY 23, 1750 SAYS:
ALL THOSE THAT WILL WORK ON SUNDAY WILL BE CURSED BY
ME, SINCE ON SUNDAY YOU MUST GO TO CHURCH TO PRAY SO
THAT I MAY FORGIVE YOU YOUR SINS, AND IT IS FOR THIS
REASON THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU SIX DAYS TO WORK AND ONE
FOR RESTING AND GIVING WORKS OF DEVOTION AND WITH WHAT
YOU HAVE (OWN) DO GOOD TO THE POOR AND YOUR ACTIONS
WILL BE FULL OF BLESSINGS AND GRACES (AND/OR FAVORS);
ON THE CONTRARY IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THIS, YOU AND
YOUR CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE MAJOR PUNISHMENTS, AND I WILL
SEND PLAGUES, FAMINE, WARS, ATROCIOUS GRIEF (HORRIBLE PAIN)
AND HEART SPASMS: AS A SIGN OF MY INDIGNATION, YOU WILL
SEE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS, THUNDERS, EARTHQUAKES. THOSE
THAT WILL JUDGE THIS LETTER NOT TO BE WRITTEN BY WORK OF
THE DIVINE AND AS COMING FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD AND
THOSE THAT WILL MALICIOUSLY KEEP IT HIDDEN WITHOUT
WRITING IT TO OTHER PERSONS, WILL BE CURSED BY GOD AND
CONFUSED ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT AND HE WHO WILL COPY IT
(OR MAKE IT PUBLIC) EVEN IF HE HAD MANY SINS, IF HE IS
TRULY SORRY OF HAVING OFFENDED ME, AND AGAIN HAVING
WRONGED HIS NEIGHBORS ASKING ME PARDON, I WILL "ERASE"
(FORGIVE) HIS SINS: THE ONES THAT WILL READ IT AND
WILL FINISH THE DEVOTION, OR WILL HAVE IT READ, WILL
BE FREE FROM ALL TEMPTATION.
WITH ECCLESIASTICAL APPROVAL.
Submitter comment:
THE ORIGINAL, IN ITALIAN, IS IN THE POSSESSION OF
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1968
WHEN IT'S THUNDERING, ST. PETER AND THE SAINTS ARE BOWLING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 06-30-1970
COAL MINER'S BELIEF
AN ANCIEN BELIEF AMONG MANY COAL MINERS IS THAT IT IS BAD LUCK
FOR A WOMAN TO COME INTO THE MINES. I ASKED THREE VETERANS
OF COAL MINING, CANDY WRIGHT, RICH CLAUSE, AND BILL STOTT,
IF THEY HAD HEARD THIS OLD SAYING. THEY SAID THEY HAD HEARD
IT MANY TIMES, BUT THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT. THEY REMEMBERED
WOMEN BEING ALLOWED TO TOUR THE MINES WHERE THEY WORKED AND
NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS TALE IS JUST "DOODLE DUST" AS WE
MINERS SAY.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; WILLIAMSBURG
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 03-29-1969
IF YOU PUT A BLESSED MOTHER STATUE IN THE WINDOW, IT WON'T
RAIN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): Catholic ; CATHOLICISM ; VIRGIN MARY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 06-14-1973
IF YOU CARRY A ST. CHRISTOPHER'S MEDAL, YOU'LL HAVE A
SAFE TRIP.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 06-14-1973
CARRY A ROSARY AT ALL TIMES SO THAT THE BLESSED MOTHER WILL
PROTECT YOU.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): Catholic ; SACRAMENTAL ; VIRGIN MARY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 06-14-1973