Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FOLK TALE
IT WAS TOLD AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF APOSTLES
SCHOOL THAT IF ONE EVER DRANK THE
WINE THAT WAS TO BE USED AT MASS , ONE WOULD DIE OF POISONING
IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THIS WAS A TERRIBLE SIN. LIKEWISE, IF ONE
DRANK FROM THE GOLD CHALICES USED AT
MASS, ONE WOULD HAVE A FATAL HEART
ATTACK FROM WHICH ONE COULD NEVER RECOVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
LEGEND
THERE IS A LEGEND THAT HIDDEN IN THE CATAFALQUE, WHICH IS A GOOD
LOOKING FAKE CASKET USED IN FUNERAL
MEMORIAL MASSES YEARS AGO, THERE WAS
A REAL DEAD PERSON WHO HAD NO PLACE TO BE BURIED BECAUSE HE AND HIS
FAMILY WERE TOO POOR TO BUY A COFFIN OR A BURIAL PLACE AND SO IT WAS
LEFT TO THE CHURCH TO KEEP HIS CASKET
AND HONOR HIM WITH MASS UPON MASS
UNTIL THE CASKET COULD BE GIVEN A DECENT BURIAL.
IT TURNS OUT THAT THE CASKET WAS NEVER GIVEN A DECENT BURIAL AND THA
IT WAS USED IN THE CHURCH FOR ALMOST
FORTY FIVE YEARS BEFORE
SOMEONE FINALLY STOLE IT.
Submitter comment:
THE CASKET, IN REAL LIFE WAS NOT REALLY STOLEN, BUT NO LONGER
USED BECAUSE THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL CHANGED THE LITURGY FOR THE
DEAD. NOR WAS THERE EVER A DEAD BODY IN IT. IN FACT, ONCE THE PRIES
OPENED IT UP SO WE COULD SEE AND IT WAS WITNESSED BY A GROUP OF US
TO BE COMPLETELY EMPTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
MY GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT FOR EVERY
ROSARY A PERSON SAID, TWO SOULS
WERE GO TO HEAVEN IMMEDIATELY. THEREFORE, MY GRANDFATHER URGED THAT
EVERYONE HE KNEW RECITE THE ROSARY AT LEAST TWICE DAILY, THEREBY
BRINGING FOUR SOULS FROM PURGATORY TO HEAVEN. MY GRANDFATHER CLAIMS
THAT HIS OWN MOTHER AND IN TURN, HER MOTHER, HAD TAUGHT HIM THAT
BELIEF AS DOCTRINE OR DOGMA. OF COURSE, MY GRANDFATHER ALSO INSISTED
THAT A ROSARY BE HUNG ON THE WALL OF EVERY
BEDROOM TO REMIND THE VIRGIN
MARY THAT SHE HAD TO TAKE FOUR SOULS TO
HEAVEN ON THAT DAY SIMPLY BECAUSE
HE HAD PRAYED THE ROSARY IN THE
MORNING AND IN THE EVENING.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- P 54 BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
MY GREAT AUNT BELIEVED THAT A PERSON COULD NOT ENTER HEAVEN IF THEY
COMMITTED SUICIDE. SHE SAID THAT THEY
MAY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER LIMBO IF
THEY WERE NOT CATHOLIC. BUT, THOSE WHO WERE CATHOLIC BECAUSE THEY HA
KNOWLEDGE OF THE ONE TRUE FAITH, COULD NOT EVEN ENTER LIMBO IF THEY
COMMITTED SUICIDE. THUS, MY AUNT WARNED
IT WAS BETTER FOR A PERSON TO
HAVE LIVED IN TOTAL MISERY THAN TO JUSTIFY A SUICIDE, FOR THIS MEANT
ETERNAL DAMNATION AND NOTHING COULD EVER SAVE A CATHOLIC WHO HAD
COMMITTED SUICIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
THERE IS A BELIEF IN CANADA THAT IN A CERTAIN SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH
CALLED "ST. JOSEPH DU MONT ROYALE", THERE
IS A HEART OF A PIOUS PRIEST
NAMED BROTHER ANDRE WHICH IS STILL BEATING IN A COVERED JAR SO AS NO
TO ALARM THE FAITHFUL PILGRIMS WHO FLOCK TO THE SHRINE FROM
ALL OVER THE WORLD. I, MYSELF, SAW THIS JAR WHICH WAS INDEED COVERE
AND THOUGH I DID NOT SEE THE HEART BEATING,
I ONCE AGAIN HEARD THE STORY
REPEATED BY THE PIOUS PEOPLE ON OUR PILGRIMAGE WHO SAID THAT THE POP
HIMSELF WITNESSED THE HEART BEATING
FOR LOVE OF CHRIST AND THAT OUR LOVE
FOR CHRIST OUGHT TO IMITATE THIS DIVINE LOVE
THAT JESUS SHOWED FOR US ON
THE ALTAR OF THE CROSS AND THAT BROTHER ANDRE HAS SO CAREFULLY TRIED
TO IMITATE WITH THE GREATEST DEGREE OF PERFECTION.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
MY GREAT AUNT USED TO TELL
THE STORY OF AN OLD STATUE OF THE SACRED HEART
WHICH WAS BURNED AND PARTIALLY DESTROYED IN FRANCE BY THE SOLDIERS O
THE UNITED STATES WHO ACCIDENTALLY RUINED IT DURING WORLD WAR TWO.
MY AUNT INSISTED THAT THE STATUE WAS A BAD OMEN FOR THE UNITED STATE
AND THAT CALAMITY WAS CERTAIN UNLESS AMENDS WERE MADE IMMEDIATELY
SENT WORD TO THE CLOISTERED NUNS TO BEG FOR EARNEST AND SINCERE
REPARATION LEST THE UNITED STATES SUFFER HEAVY CASUALTIES IN THE WAR
FOR ITS HEEDLESS AND CARELESSS DESTRUCTION. MY AUNT IMMEDIATELY
TOLD ME THAT THE STATUE TALKED TO SEVERAL
PEOPLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS,
THE WORDS ON THE STATUE WERE BLOTTED OUT
BY ITS PARTIAL DESTRUCTION, BUT MY AUNT INSISTED THAT THE STATUE
WOULD TELL PIOUS PEOPLE THIS MESSAGE: "I HAVE NO ARMS BUT YOURS".
IT WAS SAID TO BE A DIVINE INDICATION THAT EACH PERSON WAS TO SHARE
IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WAR AND THAT NOBODY, NO MATTER HOW
RELIGIOUS ONE CLAIMED TO BE
WAS EXEMPT FROM IT. MY AUNT ALSO SAID THAT
THE STATUE WAS TAKEN TO HEAVEN AFTER THE WAR ENDED BUT THAT IT WOULD
RETURN DURING WORLD WAR THREE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
THERE IS A BELIEF IN QUEBEC, CANADA WHICH STATES THAT JUST BEFORE TH
END OF THE WORLD, GOOD STE. ANNE, THE MOTHER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
MARY WOULD RETURN AND ANNOUNCE
THAT THE END HAD FINALLY COME. THIS WOULD
GIVE THE FAITHFUL ON EARTH A LAST CHANCE TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS
AND RETURN TO THE CHURCH IN THE SAVING EMBRACE OF THE SACRAMENT OF
OF CONFESSION. IT WOULD ALSO BE THEIR LAST WARNING TO RECEIVE GOD'S
LOVE LEST THEY SHOULD DIE MISERABLY IN THEIR SINS AND SUFFER ETERNAL
DAMNATION AND THE FIRES OF HELL FOREVER WITH NO CHANCE OF EVER BEING
FORGIVEN AGAIN. THE PEOPLE
BELIEVE THAT IF THEY REMIND STE. ANNE EACH
YEAR THAT THEY LOVE HER
AND HER DAUGHTER, THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN MARY, THEY
WOULD BE THE FIRST TO BE SAVED AND ESCAPE THE HORRIBLE LAST DAYS OF
OF TIME ON EARTH. SOME FAITHFUL LIGHT CANDLES HERE. OTHERS BRING
FLOWERS. SOME EVEN DRY FLOWERS WHICH HAVE BEEN TOUCHED TO THE SACRE
RELICS WHICH ARE SAID TO BE
HER ACTUAL BONES, IN THE HOPES THAT ON THE
LAST DAY THEY MAY PRESENT THESE
TO THE ALMIGHTY FATHER AND HE SHALL SAVE THEM
FROM THEIR MANY SINS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
MY GRANDFATHER ALWAYS INSISTED THAT ONE MUST CROSS HIMSELF WHENEVER
ONE HEARD A SIREN.
IF ONE DID NOT DO THIS ACT OF CUSTOMARY PIETY IN HONOR
OF THE INJURED OR DYING PERSON,
THEN THAT PERSON'S DISEASE OR ILLNESS,
OR EVEN DEATH COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO YOU AND VERY SHORTLY AFTERWARD
YOU WOULD RECEIVE THEIR FATE AND SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES YOURSELF.
IF YOU CROSSED YOURSELF SEVERAL TIMES, YOU COULD BE THAT MUCH MORE
SURE THAT THE GESTURE WORKED AND YOU COULD BE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE
PROTECTED FROM EVIL, HARM OR DEATH. IF, HOWEVER, YOU CROSSED
YOURSELF MORE THAN TEN TIMES,
COMPLETE EVIL WOULD OVERTAKE YOU, FOR IT WAS
AN ILLUSTRATION THAT YOU DID NOT REALLY TRUST
IN GOD AND THAT YOU CONSIDERED HIM SO IGNORANT THAT
HE WOULD NOT KNOW THAT YOU WERE PRAYING TO HIM.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IN QUEBEC, CANADA, IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHEN YOU APPROACH THE GREAT
CHURCH OF ST. ANNE DE BAEAUPRE, YOU SHOULD SING, " HELLO STE. ANNE,
HELLO, STE. ANNE, WE ARE COMING TO SEE YOU AGAIN". THIS WOULD GIVE
STE. ANNE TIME TO GET HER GRACES
READY WHICH SHE WAS TO DISPENSE UPON US.M
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
THERE IS THE BELIEF IN QUEBEC, CANADA, THAT THE STATUE ON THE CHURCH
OF STE. ANNE DE BEAUPRE IS INCAPABLE OF BURNING DESPITE THE
FACT THAT IT IS MADE UP OF WOOD AND WOOD IS EASILY BURNED.
THIS IS SAID
TO BE A MIRACULOUS POWER AND THAT NOT EVEN THE FIERY POWERS OF SATAN
HIMSELF COULD DESTROY, HURT OR MUTILATE THIS HOLY STATUE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wood Gourd BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FOLK TALE
IN OUR LADY QUEEN OF APOSTLES CHURCH IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN, THERE
IS A BELIEF THAT THE
CHURCH WAS ONCE INHABITED BY GHOSTS OF THE FORMER
PASTOR WHO BUILT THE HUGE CHURCH. IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE
WHO CAME TO WORSHIP THERE AND ALSO TO KEEP THE CHURCH
FREE FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE INFECTION OF SIN, THE NEW PASTOR PUT
UP GARGOYLES AROUND THE MAIN ALTAR.
THIS WAS SAID TO BE THE ONLY THING
THAT COULD DRIVE OUT THE MEMORY
OF THE PREVIOUS EVIL PASTOR AND THE BAD
FORCES THAT WERE KNOWN TO ENTER THE BUILDING
WHERE HE LIVED. IT WAS SAID
THAT THE HOUSE OF SATAN COULD ONCE AGAIN BECOME THE HOUSE OF GOD
HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IT IS BELIEVED IN QUEBEC, CANADA, AT THE SHRINE OF STE. ANNE
DE BEAUPRE THAT IF ONE TOUCHES THE BONE ON DISPLAY AS A PILGRIM, ONE
WOULD RECEIVE AN ETERNAL REWARD IN HEAVEN. IF ONE WAS SINGLE AND
WANTED TO RECEIVE STE. ANNE'S BLESSING, ONE COULD TOUCH THE RELIC
AND FIND A SPOUSE. IF
ONE WAS MARRIED, ONE WOULD HAVE A LONG AND HAPPY MARRIAGE AND
THE HUSBAND WOULD BE VERY PROSPEROUS. IF ONE WAS PIOUS,
ONE WOULD RECEIVE THE GIFT OF A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD OR
RELIGIOUS LIFE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
BELIEF IN A PRAYER CUSTOM
WHENEVER YOU WALK INTO A NEW CHURCH (ONE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN IN
BEFORE), YOU SHOULD SAY 3 OUR FATHERS, 3 HAIL MARYS, 3 GLORY BES AND
MAKE A WISH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS AND CLAIMS THAT ALL HIS WISHES HAVE COME
TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 01-31-1980
IN A POLISH PARISH, IT IS GOOD LUCK IF THE FAMILY CAN GET TOGETHER
FOR ANY OF THE CHURCH HOLIDAYS, ESPECIALLY ON CORPUS CHRISTI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
Date learned: 00-00-1950
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
PRAY TO SAINT ANTHONY FOR LOST THINGS.
PRAY TO SAINT JUDE FOR A HOPELESS CAUSE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THESE PRAYER RITUALS IN POLAND AROUND 1910.
THE COLLECTOR HAS ALSO HEARD OF PRAYING TO PARTICULAR SAINTS FOR A
SPECIAL PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
DEATH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU GO TO COMMUNION ON NINE FRIDAYS IN A ROW, THEN YOU WILL
HAVE A HAPPY DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS AROUND 1910 IN POLAND. SHE IS VERY
RELIGIOUS AND PLACED HIGH REGARD ON THIS CUSTOM. PERHAPS NINE IS
A LUCKY NUMBER AND ACTS AS A MEDIUM FOR A GOOD DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910
CANDLEMAS DAY
ON THIS DAY WHEN CHRISTMAS SEASON CLOSES, THE PEOPLE CARRY CANDLES
TO CHURCH. THE CANDLES ARE BLESSED FOR USE IN THEIR HOMES DURING
STORMS, SICKNESS, AND DEATH.
Submitter comment:
AFTER MY MOTHER WAS MARRIED IN 1939, THIS TRADITION ENDURED FOR ONLY
AWHILE BECAUSE PEOPLE MOVED AWAY.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 6 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
GREEK BELIEF
IF YOU CUT YOURSELF AFTER RECEIVING COMMUNION, YOU WOULD NOT RECEIVE
THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment: THIS SUPERSTITION WAS RATHER EERY. IT MADE ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
Entry filtered.
HOLY WATER BELIEF
AFTER BLESSING YOURSELF WITH HOLY WATER, YOU SHOULD
SPRINKLE THE REMAINING DROPS ON THE GROUND TO
QUENCH THE THIRST OF THE SOULS IN HELL AND
PURGATORY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 12-01-1967