Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LEGEND
THERE WERE 12 NUNS IN A CONVENT WHO MADE A VOW SAYING THAT AFTER THEY
DIED THEY WANTED TO HAVE A ROSARY WITH ONE LIVE PERSON FOR SO MANY
DAYS AND IF THE PERSON STAYED WITH THEM FOR TEN DAYS, THEY WOULD GIVE
THE PERSON THEIR CONVENT. A LADY WENT DOWN THERE NOT KNOWING THE
STORY AND ASKED AN INNKEEPER IF THERE WERE ANY MOTEL ROOMS SHE COULD
STAY IN. HE TOLD HER SHE COULD STAY IN THE CONVENT. SO SHE
STAYED THERE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DESERTED. THEN THE 12 NUNS
ALL HOLDING CANDLES, WALKED BY HER AND INTO THE CHURCH. SHE
FOLLOWED THEM IN AND WATCHED THEM SAYING THE ROSARY, WITH ONE OF
THEM SAYING IT AND EVERYONE ELSE ANSWERING IT. THIS HAPPENED FOR TEN
DAYS AND EVERYDAY THE NUNS WOULD DISAPPEAR AS SOON AS THE ROSARY WAS
DONE. ON THE FINAL DAY, AS THE NUNS WERE WALKING OUT, ONE OF THEM
HANDED A NOTE TO THE WOMAN. THE NOTE THANKED HER FOR HELPING THEM
FULFILL THEIR VOW. THEN IT SAID THAT THEY GAVE THE CONVENT TO HER.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND KNEW IT WAS
TRUE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE 40'S IN MEXICO. THE WOMAN WENT BACK TO
THE INNKEEPER AFTER THIS WAS OVER AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. SO THEN HE
TOLD HER ABOUT THE NUNS, VOW.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAD SEVERAL STORIES WHICH WERE BASED IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
GOOD FRIDAY BREAD
IF YOU BAKE BREAD ON GOOD FRIDAY, IT WOULD BE THE BEST, BECAUSE
ORIGINALLY ON THE FIRST GOOD FRIDAY, A WOMAN WAS MAKING BREAD
AND OUR LORD PASSED WITH THE CRUCIFIX. WITH A TOWEL TO COVER THE
BREAD, SHE WIPED CHRIST'S FACE. FROM THEN ON, AND ( SIC ) BREAD MADE
ON GOOD FRIDAY WOULD BE THE BEST EVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
EASTER EGGS
WHEN CHRIST WAS CARRYING HIS CROSS, A WOMAN CARRYING A BASKET OF
REGULAR DUCK EGGS STOPPED TO HELP HIM. SHE HANDED THE BASKET TO
HIM AND CARRIED THE CROSS A WAYS. WHEN SHE RECEIVED HER EGGS
THEY WERE ALL DIFFERENT COLORS WITH DESIGNS. THIS IS SAID TO BE
THE ORIGIN OF UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs |
GREEK EASTER CUSTOM
GREEK FAMILIES COLOR THEIR EASTER EGGS VERY DARK REDS, BLUES, AND
PURPLES (THEY USE ONION SKINS FOR DARK BROWN). THEY BELIEVE THAT
ONE OF THE APOSTLES WAS CARRYING A BASKET OF EGGS ON EASTER MORNING
WHEN HE WAS MET BY ANOTHER APOSTLE WHO CLAIMED THAT CHRIST HAD RISEN.
THE FIRST APOSTLE REFUSED TO BELIEVE IT AND THE OTHER SAID THAT THE
EGGS WOULD TURN COLORS AS PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION. WHEN THE FIRST
APOSTLE GOT HOME THE EGGS HAD CHANGED COLORS.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO HER BY HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
THE LEGEND OF FATHER TAELMAN, S.J., IS STILL TOLD TO SMALL CHILDREN
AND TOURISTS IN THE TOWN WHERE I GREW UP. THE BEAUTIFUL MISSION
CHURCH, WITH ITS CARVED PULPIT AND MURALS WAS BEING DECORATED.
FR. TAELMAN WAS PAINTING WHAT WAS TO BE A SCENE FROM HELL.
SOME INDIANS CAME IN TO WATCH. SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CONVERT THE "HEATHENS", FR. TAELMAN EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT
HELL WAS. THE INDIANS THEN LAUGHED AND POINTED OUT THAT ALL
THE DAMNED SOULS IN THE PAINTING WERE REPRESENTED AS WHITE MEN.
IF YOU GO TO THAT CHURCH TODAY, YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF THE
INDIAN FACES THAT FR. TAELMAN ADDED.
Submitter comment: ITS TRUE--I HAVE SEEN THE MURAL MYSELF.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-05-1976
JESUS CAME INTO CAPHARNAUM. THE PEOPLE THERE WERE ABOUT TO STONE AN
ADULTERESS WHEN JESUS SAID, "LET HIM AMONG YOU WHO IS WITHOUT
SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE." A TINY LITTLE OLD LADY THREW A ROCK
AND KILLED THE ADULTERESS. JESUS TURNED AND SAID, "MOTHER,
SOMETIMES YOU REALLY PISS ME OFF."
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
HOLY COMMUNION
YOU SHOULD NEVER GO TO HOLY COMMUNION IF YOU FEEL SICK OR IF
YOU THINK YOU COULD BE SICK.
SHE REMEMBERS ONE OF HER STUDENTS RECEIVING
COMMUNION AT MASS, THEN LEAVING CHURCH BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO VOMIT.
SHE FOLLOWED HIM OUT TO THE BATHROOM AND FOUND HIM VOMITING UP THE
HOST. INSTANTLY THERE APPEARED THOUSANDS OF TINY MAGGOTS WHO ATE
UP THE VOMIT AND THEN ALL DISAPPEARED. SHE EXPLAINED THAT THEY HAD
BEEN SENT THERE MIRACULOUSLY SO THAT THE HOST WOULD NOT BE DEFILED BY
HAVING BEEN ON THE FLOOR.
Submitter comment:
THE "SHE" REFERS TO MY FIFTH GRADE TEACHER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS ; 5th grade teacher
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL INSECT LARVA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN (FIFTH GRADE)
LEGEND
ST. PATRICK ORIGINALLY CAME FROM THE AREA OF LEBANON, THEN
KNOWN AS A WHOLE AS PHOENICIA. AFTER CONVERTING IRELAND, HE
STARTED HOME AGAIN. BUT A HUGE STORM BLEW UP AND THEY BECAME
LOST. WHEN THE STORM FINALLY SETTLED, THEY FOUND THEMSELVES OFF
THE COAST OF IRELAND AGAIN SO THEY DECIDED TO SETTLE THERE. AND SO
IRISHMEN ARE JUST DUMB LEBANESE WHO COULDN'T FIND THEIR WAY HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETHNIC JOKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
Entry filtered.
LEGENDS OF THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS
OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF EASTER EGGS OF THE UKRAINE, THE PYSANKA AND
THE KRASHANKA ARE THE MOST WIDELY KNOWN. KRASHANKA IS FROM THE WORD
KRASKA WHICH MEANS COLOR. THE KRASHANKA IS A HARD-BOILED EGG WHICH
IS DYED A SOLID COLOR, AND MAY BE EATEN. THE PYSANKA STEMS FROM
THE VERB PYSATY, WHICH MEANS TO WRITE, AS THE DESIGNS ARE ACTUALLY
WRITTEN ON THE EGG, WHICH IS DYED IN SEVERAL COLORS. BUT UNLIKE
THE KRASHANKA THE PYSANKY ARE RAW AND NOT EATEN. IF A WOMAN IS
CHILDLESS AND DESIRES A CHILD. SHE WOULD BE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED
WITH A CHICKEN, THE SIGN OF A FERTILE CREATURE, AND HOPEFULLY HER
FAMILY WOULD GROW. IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE MAN'S FAULT AFTER
THAT. TO HELP THE MAN HE WAS GIVEN AN EGG WITH A PATTERN OF
ROOSTERS. TO HELP OLDER MEN, WHO WERE GOING DOWN HILL WHEN IT
CAME TO THEIR VIGOR, THEY
WERE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED WITH OAK LEAVES.
AS CHRISTIANITY CAME TO THE UKRAINE SO DID SOME MORE LEGENDS.
THE HUTZELS FROM WESTERN UKRAINE TELL A STORY THAT THE VIRGIN
MARY FILLED HER APRON WITH EGGS, AND WHEN SHE APPEARED BEFORE
PONTIUS PILATE TO PLEAD FOR HER SON, SHE DROPPED TO HER KNEES AND
THE EGGS ROLLED OUT OVER THE SURFACE OF THE WORLD UNTIL THEY WERE
DISTRIBUTED AMONG ALL NATIONS. IN ANOTHER STORY, MARY IS SAID TO
HAVE FILLED A BASKET WITH EGGS WHICH SHE CARRIED TO THE SOLDIERS
SITTING AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. THERE SHE LEFT IT. AFTER A
TIME, THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST FLOWED DOWN, STAINING THE EGGS WITH
THEIR CHARACTERISTIC COLOR. THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS ALSO
ANSWER THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD. AS LONG AS THE PYSANKY TRADITION
REMAINS, AND EGGS CONTINUE TO BE DECORATED, THE WORLD WILL EXIST.
SHOULD THE CUSTOM CEASE, EVIL WILL ENCOMPASS AND DESTROY THE WORLD.
THIS IS BECAUSE AN ANCIENT, VICIOUS CREATURE IS HEAVILY CHAINED
AGAINST A HUGE CLIFF AND EACH YEAR SERVANTS OF THE CREATURE GO OUT
ABOUT THE WORLD AND TAKE COUNT HOW MANY PYSANKY ARE DECORATED IN
THE WORLD. WHEN THERE ARE FEW PYSANKY THE CREATURE'S CHAINS LOOSEN
AND EVIL BEGINS TO FLOW THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SHOULD THE SERVANTS
FIND THE CUSTOM OF DECORATING EGGS BEING PRACTICED WIDELY THEN THE
CHAINS OF THE MONSTER TIGHTEN, ALLOWING LOVE TO CONQUER EVIL.
PEASANTS PLACED KRASHANKA SHELLS IN THE THATCHED ROOFS OF THEIR
HOMES AND UNDER HAY MOUNDS TO TURN AWAY HIGH WINDS. BEEKEEPERS
PUT THEM UNDER HIVES FOR A GOOD SUPPLY OF HONEY. A KRASHANKA,
BLESSED ON EASTER EVE, WAS SUSPENDED ON A STRING FROM THE NECK
OF AN ILL PERSON, OR TOUCHED TO INFECTED AREAS ON PERSONS SUFFERING
FROM BLOOD POISONING TO EFFECT A CURE.
Submitter comment: FERTILITY SYMBOLS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
IT WAS ABOUT A MAN WHO WON A GOOSE AND HE WAS VERY SELFISH, BUT
SINCE IT WAS THANKSGIVING HE HAD ALL HIS FRIENDS OVER FOR
A GREAT BIG FEAST. HE HAD THEM ALL SITTING AROUND THE TABLE - AND HE
TOLD THEM (SHOWING THE GOOSE) WHOEVER ATE THE MOST POTATOES WOULD
EAT THE MOST GOOSE. SO EVERYBODY WAS HELPING THEMSELVES TO POTATOES
AND THEY ATE MORE AND MORE. FINALLY, WHEN THE GOOSE WAS BROUGHT OUT,
HE SAID "OK, WHO WANTS SOME GOOSE NOW?", AND THEY WERE ALL TOO FULL
FROM EATING THE POTATOES- SO HE GOT TO EAT THE GOOSE HIMSELF.
Submitter comment:
ELAINE SAID HER GRANDMA ALWAYS TOLD THIS STORY EVERY THANKSGIVING
AND IT WAS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM AT HER HOUSE. SHE SAID ONCE SHE
HAS HER OWN FAMILY, SHE WILL CARRY IT ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
THE REASON WHY THE SHAMROCK BECAME A SYMBOL ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY IS.
ST. PATRICK WAS ASKED ABOUT THE TRINITY AND IN ORDER TO EXPLAIN IT HE
BENT DOWN AND PICKED UP A THREE LEAF CLOVER AND STARTED TO EXPLAIN
HOW THE TRINITY AND A THREE LEAF CLOVER WERE SOMEWHAT THE SAME. WE
BELIEVED IN ONE GOD WITH THREE BEINGS. WHERE THE CLOVER LEAF HAD ONE
STEM WITH THREE BRANCHES.
Where learned: DETROIT ; SAINT AMBROSE RECTORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick |
Date learned: 02-27-1979
BLESSING OF THE THROAT
A YOUNG CHILD CAME UP TO ST. BLAZE WITH A FISH BONE IN HIS THROAT.
SO ST. BLAZE PRAUED OVER HIM AND THE BONE WENT AWAY. HE BLESSED
THROATS ON HIS FEAST DAY. SOON IT BECAME A FEAST THROUGHOUT THE
CHURCH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; SAINT AMBROSE RECTORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 3 |
Date learned: 02-27-1979
SAINT PAUL AND THE SNAKES
SAINT PAUL WAS SHIPWRECKED ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA. WHILE
HELPING TO LIGHT A FIRE, HE WAS BIT BY A SNAKE, AND HE CAST ALL
THE VENOM OUT OF THE SNAKE, AND TODAY THERE ARE NO POISONOUS
SNAKES LEFT ON THE ISLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-28-1979
TALE OF THE CHRIST OF HEALTH CHAPEL IN OLD SAN JUAN.
IN THE COLONIAL TIMES THERE WAS CELEBRATED AN ANNUAL HORSERACE THAT
WENT ALL OVER THE OLD CITY. ONE OF THE HORSES GOT OUT OF CONTROL AND
STARTED RUNNING SO FAST THAT THE JOCKEY WAS SURELY GOING TO GET
KILLED. AT THAT MOMENT A WOMAN CRIED - OH CHRIST OF HEALTH, PLEASE
STOP THAT HORSE. - THE HORSE STOPPED INSTANTLY AND THE RIDER WAS
SAVED. IN THAT SAME SPOT WAS BUILT THE CHAPEL OF THE CHRIST OF HEALTH
HONORING THE MIRACLE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SAN JUAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
WHY THE ROBIN'S BREAST IS RED.
THE ROBIN WAS FLYING BY AT THE CRUCIFICTION OF CHRIST AND FLEW DOWN
TO PULL A THORN OUT OF CHRIST. IN THE PROCESS HE GOT BLOOD ON HIS
BREAST AND IT HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUCIFICTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
HOW THE ROBIN GOT ITS RED BREAST.
WHEN CHRIST WAS SUFFERING ON THE CROSS, AND BLOOD TRICKLED DOWN
HIS FOREHEAD DUE TO THE SHARP THORNS OF HIS CROWN, A ROBIN FLEW BY
THE LORD'S HEAD AND TOOK PITY ON HIM. THE BIRD WONDERED HOW HE COULD
ALLEVIATE OUR LORD'S PAIN. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD TRY AND REMOVE AT
LEAST ONE OF THE THORNS FROM HIS FOREHEAD. AS HE TUGGED AT THE
THORN IT, IN TURN, PIERCED HIS BREAST--AND EVER SINCE THE ROBIN BEAR
THE MARK OF A RED BREAST DUE TO ITS HEROIC DEED.
Data entry tech comment: GRAMMAR CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS
SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.
Submitter comment:
"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."
MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979
FOLK TALE
IN MY HOME PARISH OF ST. LADISLAUS
CATHOLICS GET THEIR THROATS BLESSED
ON THE FEAST OF ST. BLASE, BISHOP
AND MARTYR. THE PRIEST TELLS THEM
TO BE SORRY FOR THEIR SINS AND TO ASK GOD'S HEALING AND SAVING POWER
TO MAKE ITSELF PRESENT IN THEIR LIVES.
SOME STUDENTS CARRIED THIS BELIEF
TOO FAR AND ONE POOR GIRL EVEN CLAIMED
IT CURED HER OF VENEREAL DISEASE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
A STORY INVOLVING A MIRACLE
ONCE THERE WAS A WEALTHY MAN AND HIS WIFE. THEY WERE SO WELL
OFF THAT THEY WEREN'T CAREFUL ABOUT CRUMBS AND BREAD. BUT AFTER
EATING, THE WIFE WOULD GO AROUND AND GATHER UP ALL THE CRUMBS AND
FEED THE BIRDS OUTSIDE, BUT SHE HAD TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE
HUSBAND DIDN'T LIKE IT.
ONCE HE CAUGHT HER WITH HER HANDS FULL OF CRUMBS AND ASKED TO SEE
WHAT WAS IN HER HANDS. SHE HID HER FISTS BEHIND HER BACK. (THE
INFORMANT MADE THAT SAME GESTURE.) BUT HE STILL ASKED TO SEE WHAT
SHE HAD. WHEN HE MADE HER OPEN HER HANDS THERE WAS NOTHING IN
THEM BUT A CRUCIFIX. THE BREAD HAD TURNED INTO CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
AS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER WHO TOLD IT AS TRUE.
TOLD AS WE WERE EATING DINNER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DAUGHTERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-26-1969