Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
TALE: THE OLD WOMAN IN OUR PARISH
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO USED TO LIVE IN OUR PARISH WHO WOULD
NEVER MISS SUNDAY VESPERS. SHE NEVER WENT TO MASS YET EVERY SUNDAY
AFTERNOON THERE SHE WAS AT VESPERS. THIS WENT ON FOR YEARS AND IT
TOOK TO BE HABIT SEEING HER THERE, RAIN OR SHINE.
WELL ONE PARTICULARILY BAD WINTER WE HAD A BLIZZARD THAT STARTED
RIGHT AFTER THE LAST MASS WAS LETTING OUT. BOY, WHAT A BLIZZARD.
IT KEPT ON SNOWING AND BLOWING ALL AFTERNOON AND AS THE TIME FOR
VESPERS APPROACHED WE BEGAN TO WONDER IF SHE'D SHOW UP. THEY
DIDN'T HAVE CARS IN THOSE DAYS AND THE PEOPLE USED TO WALK IF THEY
WANTED TO GO ANYWHERE. WELL, SINCE IT WAS MY TURN, I WENT TO THE
CHURCH AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE SHE WAS. I HAVE TO ADMIT I WAS QUITE
SURPRISED TO SEE HER AS SHE HAD QUITE A WALK.
ANYHOW, AS THE WOMAN LATER TOLD ME, WHILE SHE WAS AT VESPERS, SHE
PRAYED AND PRAYED THAT THE WIND WOULD CHANGE AND SHE'D HAVE IT AT HE
BACK ON HER WAY HOME. KNOW WHAT, SHE DID. THE WIND CHANGED
COURSE DURING VESPERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
TRADITION
THE BUDDHIST NUNS OF MALAYSIA FOR THEIR INITIATION SHAVE THEIR
HEADS, THEN WITH LONG INCENSE STICKS THEY BURN LITTLE HOLES IN A
LINE DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR HEADS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 11-00-1978
A SIP OF WATER
ALWAYS TAKE A SIP OF WATER WHEN YOU COME HOME FROM CHURCH ON SUNDAY
MORNING TO BE SURE YOU WASH DOWN ALL THE PARTICLES OF THE HOST
BEFORE EATING BREAKFAST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
James Callow Keyword(s): EUCHARIST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: CA02001980
AT WEDDINGS, THE BRIDE OFFERS A GIFT OF FLOWERS TO THE BLESSED
MOTHER.
Submitter comment:
THEY BEGAN DOING THIS AT THEIR FIRST DAUGHTER'S WEDDING.
THEY DID THIS WHILE IN THE CHURCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
A POLISH MAN ALWAYS TIPS HIS HAT WHEN PASSING A CATHOLIC CHURCH AND
SAYS THE WORDS "PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- BELIEF BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
CELEBRATION OF SAINT'S DAY
PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT CELEBRATE THEIR SAINTS DAY AS
OPPOSED TO CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS.
Submitter comment:
A PERSON'S SAINT DAY IS HIS OR HER NAME CORRESPONDING
TO A SAINT OF THAT NAME. SINCE SAINTS HAVE A RELIGIOUS
BACKGROUND, GREEKS PREFER TO CELEBRATE A RELIGIOUS
HOLIDAY OVER A BIRTHDAY. BIRTHDAYS TO GREEKS ARE
INSIGNIFICANT. RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS ARE MUCH MORE
SIGNIFICANT TO THE GREEK WAY OF LIFE THAN BIRTHDAYS.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Sacrificial rite for special occasion |
Date learned: CA00001963
DRESSING AT FUNERALS AND THEREAFTER
WHEN A GREEK MAN DIES, HIS WIDOW WILL WEAR BLACK FOR
THE REST OF HER LIFE, MOURNING HER DECEASED HUSBAND.
Submitter comment:
THIS STYLE OF DRESS APPLIES TO SENIOR CITIZENS OF GREEK
DESCENT. YOUNGER WIDOWS PRACTICE THIS, BUT ONLY FOR A
MAXIMUM OF TWO YEARS. THE OLDER PEOPLE ARE DETERMINED
TO WEAR BLACK FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIVES, AND THEY THINK
THAT IF A WIDOW DOES NOT DO THIS, THEN THEY FEEL THAT
SHE IS DISGRACING HER DECEASED HUSBAND.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
HOLY WEEK CUSTOM-HOLY UNCTION
ON HOLY WEDNESDAY, IT IS CUSTOMARY IN THE GREEK
ORTHODOX CHURCH TO DELIVER THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY
UNCTION TO THE PARISH. THIS IS THE ONLY DAY OF THE
YEAR WHERE HOLY UNCTION IS OFFERED TO THE ENTIRE
PARISH.
Submitter comment:
HOLY UNCTION IS USUALLY ADMINISTERED TO THOSE WHO ARE
EXTREMELY ILL. WHEN IS IS ADMINISTERED ON HOLY
WEDNESDAY, THE OIL PLACED ON THE BODY SIGNIFIES THAT
THE PERSON RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT WILL BE BLESSED
FROM ALL DISEASES AND ILLNESSES.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.12 BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
BLESSING HOUSES WITH HOLY WATER
ON EPIPHANY DAY, THE DAY CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED, WATER
BLESSED IN THE CHURCH IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FAITHFUL.
THE WATER IS TAKEN HOME AND IT IS SPRINKLED IN EVERY
ROOM IN THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
THE WATER THAT IS BLESSED IN THE CHURCH SYMBOLIZES
THE WATER THAT CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED. SPRINKLING IT IN
EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE BRINGS GOOD LUCK TO THOSE
THAT LIVE THERE.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CENTERLINE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001964
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
ON THIS DAY THE PRIEST AND THE ORGANIST VISIT THE HOMES, BLESS THEM
AND WRITE OVER THE DOORS THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN IN THE
BELIEF THAT THIS WILL SPARE THEM MISFORTUNE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR AROUND THE 1940'S WHEN THE NEIGHBOR-
HOOD IN CHICAGO CHANGED WITH CRIME.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
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
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
THE LAMENTATIONS SERVICE IS A SERVICE IN WHICH THE BODY OF CHRIST IS
REPRESENTED ON A COSTLY EMBROIDERED MATERIAL. IT IS CARRIED
IN A PROCESSION AROUND THE CHURCH THREE TIMES. EACH PARISHONER TAKES
HOME ONE FLOWER AND PUTS IT WHERE YOU KEEP HOLY PICTURES AND VIGIL
LIGHTS WHICH YOU DISPOSE OF ONLY BY BURNING. THEY CAN'T BE THROWN
AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEKS' GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE IS INTERESTING. I ATTENDED IT ONCE
AND I ENJOYED SEEING HOW THE GREEKS CELEBRATE GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
THE CROWDED SYNAGOGUE
THE SYNAGOGUE WAS CROWDED DURING THE HIGH HOLY DAYS AND
THE PEWS WERE RESERVED FOR TICKET HOLDERS. LAPIDIS
TRIED TO GET PAST THE USHER. "IT'S MY BROTHER--
I'VE GOT TO SEE HIM--IT'S VERY IMPORTANT." "HAVE
YOU GOT A TICKET?" ASKED THE USHER. "NO," SAID
LAPIDIS. "BUT I HAVE GOT TO SEE MY BROTHER--IT'S
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH." "ALL RIGHT," SAID THE
USHER, "GO INSIDE AND TALK TO YOUR BROTHER. BUT
DON'T LET ME CATCH YOU PRAYING!"
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
DURING THE MASS AT THE OFFERATORY, EACH PERSON IN THE
CHURCH OR AT MASS WOULD BRING AN OFFERING. THE
PEOPLE BROUGHT FOOD OR CLOTHING AND THE CHILDREN
BROUGHT LITTLE PIECES OF CANDY.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS BEING
STARTED IN OUR MASSES IN AMERICA.
Submitter comment: RICHARD'S PARENTS ARE FROM GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS A CUSTOM IN ITALY WHERE ALL THE ANIMALS WHICH ARE
BORN EACH SPRING ARE HERDED INTO TOWN AND DOWN THE
MAIN AISLE OF THE CHURCH, WHERE THEY ARE BLESSED BY
THE TOWN PRIEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-23-1969
PATRON SAINT
FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, EACH FAMILY HANDS DOWN
A PATRON SAINT TO WHICH THEY PAY REVERENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 11-17-1969
LIVING ROSARIES
AT THE GIRLS' BOARING SCHOOL I WENT TO IN WISCONSIN,
IN GOOD WEATHER, OCCASIONALLY, THE NUNS WOULD GET
A GROUP OF GIRLS TOGETHER AND FORM A CIRCLE AROUND
A GROTTO. (IF NOT A CIRCLE, THEN A CHAIN, A LINE,
A ROW). EACH GIRL WOULD RECITE ONE PRAYER OF THE
ROSARY, AND THEY WOULD FINISH WITH A SONG.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MAGICAL NUMBER
WHEN YOU ENTER A CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME, (YOU'VE
NEVER BEEN IN IT BEFORE) MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-17-1969
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
WHEN ENTERING A CHURCH, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO BLESS
ONESELF WITH "HOLY WATER" BLESSED BY A PRIEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-00-1969