The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Ethnic: Italian

IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT DURING LENT NOTHING MADE FROM EGGS
ARE ( IS ) EATEN UNTIL HOLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

Submitter comment:

THIS CUSTOM WAS PASSED TO THE INFORMANT FROM HER MOTHER AND
ORIGINALLY CAME FROM SOUTHERN ITALY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD

Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CUSTOM ; Eggs ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; Lent ; RELIGIOUS ; SELF-SACRIFICE

Date learned: 11-28-1970

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PRETZEL SUNDAY

A FOLK CUSTOM IS STILL WIDELY OBSERVED ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
IN LUXEMBOURG. YOUNG MEN PRESENT CAKES, BRIGHTLY DECORATED AND BAKED
IN THE FORM OF PRETZELS TO THE YPUNG WOMEN. IF THE GIRL WISHES
TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUNG MAN, SHE GIVES HIM A DECORATED EGG ON EASTER
SUNDAY. IN LEAP YEAR, THE PLAN IS REVERSED: THE GIRL PRESENTS THE
CAKE AND THE BOY RECIPROCATES WITH AN EGG.

Data entry tech comment: PRETZELS HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH LENT SINCE THE BEGINNINGS OF
CHRISTIANITY. THE SHAPE IS SUPPOSED TO SUGGEST TWO
ARMS IN PRAYER.

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 03-18-1968

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THE TENEBRAE SERVICE

THE TENEBRAE (SHADOW) SERVICE IS SPECIFICALLY CATHOLIC. IT IS
HELD ON THE WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK IN THE EVENING. AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE SERVICE, THE CHURCH IS DARKENED. ONLY A CANDELABRA WITH
NINE BURNING CANDLES LIGHTS THE CHURCH. GREGORIAN CHANTS
FORETELLING THE PASSION OF CHRIST ARE SUNG BY THE CHOIR. AFTER
EACH PSALM A SINGLE CANDLE IS EXTINGUISHED. WHEN ONLY ONE CANDLE
REMAINS, THE PRIEST PLACES IT BETWEEN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS AND
WALKS SOLEMNLY TOWARD THE SANCTUARY. UPON REACHING THE SANCTUARY
HE WITHDRAWS BEHIND ITS PURPLE CURTAIN, LEAVING THE CONGREGATION
IN TOTAL DARKNESS. IT IS AT THIS TIME THAT THE PEOPLE BEGIN TO
BANG ON THE PEWS WITH THEIR FISTS OR WHATEVER THEY HAVE BROUGHT
WITH THEM, REPRESENTING AS THEY DO SO, THE QUAKING OF THE EARTH
AT CHRISTS DEATH. FINALLY, THE PRIEST RETURNS WITH THE LIGHTED
CANDLE INTO THE CHURCH PROPER. THE SINGLE LIT CANDLE
REPRESENTED THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST. THE PRIESTS DISAPPEARANCE
BEHIND THE CURTAIN REPRESENTED CHRIST IN THE TOMB. THE EMERGENCE
OF THE PRIEST WITH THE CANDLE SIGNIFIED THE RETURN OF CHRIST, THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Submitter comment: MR. LEBLANC BELONGS TO THE DETROIT CATHEDRAL CHOIR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

Date learned: 04-03-1968

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CUSTOM

ON EASTER MORNING, WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING, THE MOTHERS BATHE
THEIR BABIES SO IF THEY ARE FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING, THE FRIGHT WILL
BE WASHED AWAY.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): bathing ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; WASHING ; WATER

Date learned: 11-11-1967

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THE DAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY IS CALLED SWITCHING DAY IN POLAND,
IT IS THE DAY THAT BOYFRIENDS GET STICKS AND STRIKE THEIR
GIRLFRIENDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-00-1977

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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

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APOKRIES

THIS IS THE PRE-LENTEN HOLIDAY, A THREE WEEK FESTIVITY, AND PRECEDES
THE FORTY-NINTH DAY PRE-EASTER LENTEN PERIOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Easter ; ETHNIC ; FESTIVAL ; Greek ; holiday ; Lent

James Callow Keyword(s): FESTIVAL ; Greek

Date learned: 00-00-1980

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