Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B432 returned 155 results.
THE MIRACLE FROM FR. SOLONIUS
MANY YEARS AGO MY MOTHER JUDITH WAS A VERY SICK CHILD. SHE
WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH APPENDICITIS. BECAUSE THE INFECTION
IN HER APPENDIX WAS SO SEVERE IT HAD CAUSED HER TO GET PNUEMONIA.
BECAUSE MY MOTHER HAD PNEUMONIA SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE
THE SURGERY TO REMOVE THE INFECTED APPENDIX BECAUSE SHE WOULD
DIE ON THE TABLE. MY GRANDMOTHER, THELMA PATTERSON, HAD NOWHERE
ELSE TO TURN SO SHE WENT TO THE CAPUCHIN MONASTERY
ON KERCHEVAL IN DETROIT. SHE ASKED TO SEE ONE OF THE PRIESTS
AND SHE WAS GIVEN FR. SOLONIUS. SHE ASKED FATHER SOLONIUS
TO SAY A PRAYER FOR HER LITTLE GIRL AND HE DID. THE NEXT DAY
WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER WENT TO SEE JUDITH SHE WAS MUCH BETTER
AND WAS WELL ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH THE SURGERY. NEEDLESS TO
SAY JUDITH FULLY RECOVERED.
Submitter comment: FR. SOLONIUS IS UP FOR SAINTHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Curer |
IN ABOUT THE 13TH CENTURY THERE WAS A DYBUUK MADE OUT OF CLAY
AND WOOD IN A JEWISH VILLAGE. THE DYBUUK WAS MADE IN THE
IMAGE OF A MAN. THERE WERE PEOPLE COMING TO HARM THE JEWS SO
A RABBI BREATHED LIFE INTO THE DUBUUK {DYBBUK?} AND PUT THE
NAME OF GOD ON HIS TONGUE AND HE SAVED THE VILLAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): STATUE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Gods PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 06-00-1987
Legend
In 1918, there was an epidemic of flu, or "grippe."
My father's uncle Derek became sick two weeks after
my great-grandfather died. The family noticed that
the holy card (with the Virgin pictured) was
standing up on its own on his night table.
A priest was called in, and he roped the table off.
The card remained standing with no apparent support
until Derek died, when it suddenly fell over.
This happened in Verdun, near Quebec.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Legend
My mother was told this story about one of her great uncles.
It takes place during the Great Depression. The man was
walking home with a rosary in his pocket when a mugger
challenged him. He put his hand in his pocket and aimed
the cross at the thief as if it were a gun. The thief
believed it was a gun and ran away. The success of the
ruse was attributed to intervention by the Blessed Virgin.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001950CA
Vision
My father remembers that his nephew, Gerry, had a
vision of the Virgin Mary in the clouds when he
was six years old, and has remembered it ever since.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Sixths / Six PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00001960ca
St. Nicholas
My grandmother told me how the St. Nicholas legend began after
I told her I no longer believed in Santa. She said that moms and
dads aren't really lying to their children about Santa, that if you
have love in your heart you are Santa and that's what moms and dads
do. Originally, many, many years ago there was a kindly, wealthy
old gent, Nicholas. He had much wealth, but no children to whom to
distribute it. In his small village there were many poor families.
When he heard of a very lovely girl who could not marry her young
man because her parents had no dowry for her, he decided to help.
On the eve of Christ's birth, he approached the maiden's home.
Finding the window open, he tossed a bag full of coins into the
home. When the young maiden and her family discovered the small
bag, they used it as the girl's dowry. He saw what pleasure it had
brought the couple and the family and continued to help the poor
each Christmas Eve.
The townspeople found out who was doing such kind deeds and called
him Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) from that day forward. Moms and
dads everywhere from then on assumed the role of Santa Claus with
their children.
Submitter comment:
She told me this story in such a loving way, that I was
prompted to tell my children the same story when they asked about
the "reality" of Santa Claus.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): RATIONALIZATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001960S
BABY CHRIST WHILE BEING HUNTED BY HEROD'S HORDES,
WAS HID IN THE LOW, SWEEPING BRANCHES OF A PINE
TREE. THE TREE SAVED HIM BY KEEPING HIM OUT OF
SIGHT. BABY JESUS BLESSED THE TREE. AND IF YOU
CUT A PINE CONE IN HALF THROUGH ITS CORE, IN THE
UPPER PART OF ONE OF THE HALVES YOU WILL SEE
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; CLASS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
RELIGIOUS JOKE
ANN: TELL ME THE ONE ABOUT THE JUDGE.
BRUCE: THREE CLERGY WERE TAKEN BEFORE THE
JUDGE ON CHARGES OF GAMBLING. THE FIRST,
A PRIEST, WAS ASKED BY THE JUDGE IF HE'D
BEEN GAMBLING. "NO, I WASN'T"
AS HE WALKED AWAY FROM THE BENCH, "FORGIVE
ME FATHER FOR THIS SMALL FIB." THE SECOND,
A PROTESTANT MINISTER, WAS ASKED BY THE JUDGE
IF HE HAD BEEN GAMBLING. "NO, I WASN'T,"
ANSWERED THE MINISTER. THEN HE SAID QUIETLY
AS HE WALKED AWAY FROM THE BENCH, "FORGIVE
ME FATHER FOR THIS SMALL FIB." THE THIRD ONE,
THE RABBI, WAS ASKED IF HE'D BEEN GAMBLING.
HIS REPLY WAS SIMPLY, "WHO WITH?"
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SPRINGFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
HUNGARIAN LEGEND
KING STEPHEN BROUGHT HUNGARY TO CHRISTIANITY
AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM, AND WAS PRESENTED
WITH A HEAVILY JEWELLED CROWN BY THE POPE.
DURING SOME WAR, THE ROYAL JEWELS WERE
BURIED AND AT THIS TIME THE CROSS ON THE TOP
OF THE CROWN WAS BENT. NOW THE CROWN IS
ALWAYS SHOWN WITH THE BENT CROSS.
Submitter comment: THIS CROWN WAS RECENTLY RETURNED TO HUNGARY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 08-12-1968
PREDICTING DEATH
I HAD A FRATERNITY BROTHER WHO DIED A FEW YEARS AGO
FROM CANCER. THE NIGHT BEFORE HE DIED, HE WAS TOLD
THAT A PRIEST WOULD BRING HIM COMMUNION AT 6:30 THE
NEXT MORNING. HE REPLIED THAT 6:30 A.M. WOULD BE
TOO LATE, BECAUSE THE BLESSED VIRGIN TOLD HIM HE WOULD
DIE AT 5:30 A.M. THE NEXT MORNING, HE DIED AT 5:30 A.M.
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE IS HEARSAY. I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH
TRUTH IS CONTAINED IN IT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STRANGE LADY IN CHAPEL
A LADY, ABOUT 45 YEARS OLD, CAME TO U.D. IN THE SPRING
OF 1962 TO ATTEND MASS IN THE CHAPEL. SHE WORE HEAVY
SHABBY WINTER CLOTHES EVEN THOUGH IT WAS 80 DEGREES
OR MORE OUTSIDE. SHE HAD A LARGE CRUCIFIX AND A
ROSARY AROUND HER NECK AND HAD HOLY CARDS AND LARGE
PICTURES FASTENED TO HER COAT, FRONT AND BACK.
A LITTLE BOY ALWAYS CAME WITH HER. HE HAD SEVERAL
SCAPULARS AND A ROSARY AROUND HIS NECK ALSO. IT
WAS SAID THAT SHE IS DONG PENANCE FOR ONCE
DESERTING HER SEVEN CHILDREN. ONCE, SHE WAS
LET OFF NEAR THE CHAPEL IN A LIMOUSINE, REPORTEDLY
BY HER HUSBAND.
Submitter comment: HEARD SEVERAL TIMES FROM U. OF D. STUDENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
THE STONE
JESUS CHRIST WAS WALKING AND HE CAME UPON A CROWD
OF WOMEN STONING AN ADULTRESS. HE ORDERED THEM TO
STOP; AND SAID, "ALL THOSE WHO ARE VIRGINS, CAST
THE NEXT STONE!"
SUDDENLY A LARGE ROCK FLEW OUT FROM THE CROWD, HIT
THE SINNER, AND KILLED HER. JESUS TURNED TO THE
WOMAN WHO THREW IT, AND SAID; "MOM, WHY DO YOU
ALWAYS RUIN EVERYTHING."
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
GIRL IN THE GLASS COFFIN AT N.D.U.
INCLOSED IN A GLASS COFFIN UNDER ONE OF THE ALTARS AT
SACRED HEART CHURCH ON THE CAMPUS OF NOTRE DAME
UNIVERSITY, NOTRE DAME, INDIANA, IS THE BODY OF A
GIRL ABOUT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE. SHE IS CLOTHED IN
WHITE AND HAS A NOTICEABLE MARK ON HER THROAT.
SHE WAS A GIRL WHO BECAME A CATHOLIC AGAINST HER
FATHER'S WISHES, AND TOOK INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRST
COMMUNION UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM. ON THE DAY SHE
RECEIVED HER FIRST COMMUNION, HER FATHER RAN INTO
THE CHURCH AND, AS SHE TURNED FROM THE RAIL AFTER
RECEIVING COMMUNION, HE STABBED HER IN THE THROAT
AND SHE DIED IMMEDIATELY.
THAT IS WHY SHE HAS THE MARK ON HER THROAT, AND WHY
SHE IS CLOTHED IN HER FIRST COMMUNION OUTFIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; INDIANA ; BIRMINGHAM ; NOTRE DAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
GIRL IN THE GLASS COFFIN AT U.N.D.
THE GIRL IN THE GLASS COFFIN UNDER THE SIDE ALTAR AT
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY WAS AN INDIAN MAIDEN. SHE WAS
THE DAUGHTER OF A CHIEF, AND SHE WAS CONVERTED BY
ONE OF THE EARLY MISSIONARIES--ONE OF THE EARLY C.S.C.
FATHERS. HER DAD, THE CHIEF, HEARD ABOUT IT AND SLIT
HER THROAT RIGHT AFTER SHE RECEIVED HER FIRST
COMMUNION. SHE IS AN INDIAN--YOU CAN TELL FROM LOOKING
AT HER. SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN HER COMMUNION DRESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; INDIANA ; BIRMINGHAM ; NOTRE DAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-25-1968
STORY OF ST. SEVERA
ABOUT THE WAX FIGURE OF THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE MAIN
CHURCH--IT IS A FIGURE OF ST. SEVERA, MARTYRED IN ROME
IN THE YEAR 269. HER TOMB WAS DISCOVERED IN 1730 IN A
VERY OLD CEMETERY ON THE VIA SALARIA. THE INSCRIPTION
ON HER TOMB DID NOT GIVE TOO MUCH INFORMATION, BUT
WAS ENOUGH TO BE THAT OF AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN
MARTYR. HER BONES WERE GATHERED IN A LITTLE BOX,
BROUGHT TO THIS COUNTRY, AND PRESENTED TO NOTRE DAME
IN 1867 BY BISHOP HAILANDIERE OF VINCENNES. NOTHING
IS KNOWN OF HER LIFE OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT SHE
WAS PUT TO DEATH FOR HER FAITH. THE BOX CONTAINING HER
BONES AND ASHES WAS PLACED AT THE HEAD OF THE WAX
FIGURE WHICH LIES UNDER THE GLASS INCLOSED ALTAR OF
THE RELICS IN ONE OF THE SIDE CHAPELS OF SACRED
HEART CHURCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; INDIANA ; BIRMINGHAM ; NOTRE DAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
ST. PATRICK AND THE SNAKES
IN IRELAND WHEN ALL WERE PAGAN, AND CELTIC PRIESTS WERE
IN CHARGE, THERE CAME A CHRISTIAN PRIEST FROM FRANCE--
A HANDSOME, TALL, AND LEAN PERSON BY THE NAME OF
PATRICK. THERE HAD BEEN A TERRIBLE PLAGUE OF VIPERS
FOR A LONG TIME, A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD. PATRICK
WALKED INTO THE MAIN CITY AND INTO THE HIGH TEMPLE.
HE WENT UP TO THE ALTAR OF THE CELTIC PRIESTS AND
EXTENDED HIS STAFF OVER IT, AND THEREUPON IT
CRUMBLED. HE BLESSED HIMSELF AND DEDICATED THE TEMPLE
TO GOD; AND THEY SAY AT THAT MOMENT THE VIPERS WENT
INTO THE SEA AND DROWNED. ST. PATRICK THEN WENT OUT
AND CONVERTED MILLIONS.
Submitter comment:
I HAD FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK AND
THE SNAKES FROM ONE OF MY FORMER INFORMANTS, JOHN
GRIFFIN, WHO DIDN'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY, BUT TOLD ME
ABOUT JOHN WHOM HE THOUGHT WOULD KNOW THE WHOLE STORY.
JOHN TOLD ME THE STORY AND AFTERWARDS TOLD ME HOW THE
VIPERS REPRESENT DEVILS AND ST. PATRICK'S STAFF
REPRESENTS A PHALLIC SYMBOL, WHICH HAS POWER OVER THE
VIPERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
ST. PATRICK LEGEND
ST. PATRICK FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS AND, WHILE
HE DID, HE ASKED THE LORD FOR CERTAIN FAVORS. ONE OF THE
THINGS HE ASKED FOR WAS THAT ON THE LAST JUDGMENT, HE
BE ALLOWED TO JUDGE THE IRISH NATION AND GOD GRANTED
HIS REQUEST.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST,
IRELAND, ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1915
WHEN ST. NICHOLAS WAS A YOUNG BOY, HIS PARENTS DIED.
THEY WERE QUITE RICH AND HE INHERITED THIS WEALTH.
ALSO AT THIS TIME, A DOWRY WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR A
GIRL TO MARRY. ONE NIGHT, WHILE HE WAS WALKING HOME,
HE HEARD A GIRL CRYING BECAUSE SHE HAD NO DOWRY.
THE FATHER OF THIS GIRL HAD TWO OTHER DAUGHTERS. A
FEW NIGHTS LATER, NICHOLAS LEFT A SACK OF GOLD ON THE
FAMILY'S DOORSTEP. HE DID THIS FOR TWO MORE NIGHTS.
THUS, THERE WAS A DOWRY FOR EACH OF THE DAUGHTERS.
ON THE THIRD NIGHT, THE GIRLS' FATHER WAS AWAKE AND
SAW NICHOLAS LEAVE THE SACKS. UPON QUESTIONING,
NICHOLAS SAID THAT HE HAD NO USE FOR THE GOLD. NICHOLAS
WANTED THE WHOLE THING KEPT A SECRET, BUT WORD SPREAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FATHER CHRISTMAS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 03-14-1972
HOW ST. PATRICK DEFEATED THE DRUIDS ON HIS COMING
TO IRELAND:
IN PRE-LITERATE CELTIC SOCIETY, THE DRUIDS POWER
WAS DERIVED LARGELY FROM THEIR VERBAL SKILLS.
PATRICK OFFERED TO WEIGH THE WORD OF HIS LORD (JESUS)
AGAINST THE WORDS OF THE DRUIDS. THEN HE PRODUCED A
BALANCE SCALE AND PUT A BIBLE IN ONE OF THE PANS.
THE DRUIDS, UNABLE TO PRODUCE BOOKS, LOST AND IRELAND
WAS ON THE ROAD TO CHRISTIANITY.
Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
TRUMPETER OF KRAKOW STORY
LONG AGO THE TARTARS WERE ATTACKING POLAND. THE POLES
HAD CHECKED THE ADVANCE OF THE TARTERS, ON MOST FRONTS,
BUT SOMEHOW THE ENEMIES MANAGED TO GET INTO THE CITY
OF KRAKOW. ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY HAD FLED WHEN
THEY HEARD THE TARTERS WERE COMING. ONLY ONE MAN
REMAINED, A TRUMPETER, WHO HAD VOWED TO PLAY A HYMN
TO THE VIRGIN MARY ON HIS TRUMPET EVERY DAY IN THE TOWER
OF MARY'S CHURCH IN THE CITY. SINCE HE HAD MADE THIS
VOW, HE COULD NOT FLEE. SO, WHILE THE TARTERS WERE
INVADING THE CITY, THIS TRUMPETER WAS IN THE TOWER
PLAYING. SUDDENLY, HE WAS HIT IN THE HEART BY AN ARROW
OF ONE OF THE TARTERS. HE STOPPED HIS PLAYING IN
MID-NOTE AND DROPPED DEAD. TO THIS DAY, THE POLES PLAY
AND SING THIS HYMN, WHICH THEY CALL THE "HYMN OF THE
BROKEN NOTE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POLISH TRADITION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-15-1971