Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 2636 returned 100 results.
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
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
IN MY GRADE SCHOOL, OUR LADY QUEEN OF APOSTLES, THE STUDENTS BELIEVE
THAT A BELL RUNG BY THE SISTER SUPERIOR INDICATED THAT THE SCHOOL WA SAFE
TO ENTER. THE BELL WAS RUNG AT FIRE DRILLS, AFTER RECESS AND AT MANY OTHER
TIMES. STUDENTS DID NOT HEED THE BELL IF IT WAS NOT RUNG BY THE SISTER
SUPERIOR. THE BELIEF PERSISTED EVEN TO MY BROTHER'S TIME AND THOUGH A
DIFFERENT BELL IS RUNG THESE DAYS BY A DIFFERENT SISTER SUPERIOR, IT IS
NEVERTHELESS THE SAME BELIEF. STUDENTS ONLY LISTEN T A CERTAIN BELL RUNG
BY A CERTAIN PERSON. SOME STUDENTS WENT SO FAR AS TO CLAIM THAT THE BELL
HAD MIRACULOUS POWERS IN AND OF ITSELF. THEY BELIEVED THAT THE MERE PRESENCE
OF THE BELL CONNOTED SAFETY AND THAT IT COULD BE USED TO WARD OFF EVIL. HENCE,
IT WAS SAID THAT THE SISTER SUPERIOR HAD LIVED FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS MERELY
BECAUSE SHE KEPT THAT BELL WITH HER ALL HER LIFE. SOME EVEN SAID THAT IT WAS
ON THE DAY THAT SHE DIED, THAT THE BELL WAS FOUND MISSING. IT IS BELIEVED THAT
SHE TOOK THE BELL WITH HER TO THE GRAVE TO PROTECT HERSELF FROM THE DEVIL AND
TO TRAVEL SAFELY TO THE OTHER WORLD WHERE SHE WOULD EMBRACE ETERNAL LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- School |
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
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
FOLK TALE
IT WAS TOLD TO THE ALTAR BOYS AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF APOSTLES
CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT IF THEY WORE THE CHASUBLE USED AT MASS THEY
WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET IT OFF. THE NUNS TOLD THE STORY OF ONE
SUCH ALTAR BOY WHO TO THIS DAY WAS STILL WEARING THAT CHASUBLE AND
WAS LOCKED AWAY IN A HOSPITAL SO NOBODY COULD SEE HIM. SOME NUNS SAI
IT WAS A MORTAL SIN WHICH COULD NEVER BE FORGIVEN.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON THIS WAS SPREAD WAS BECAUSE THE CHASUBLES IN THOSE
DAYS WERE QUITE EXPENSIVE AND THE PRIESTS AND SISTERS DID NOT
WANT ALTAR BOYS PLAYING WITH THEM AS IF THEY WERE NOT SACRED AT ALL
AND TURNING THEM INTO COSTUMES LIKE THOSE USED ON HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
CAT BURIAL JOKE
A WOMAN BROUGHT HER DEAD CAT TO THE LOCAL CATHOLIC CHURCH AND
ASKED THE PRIEST TO HAVE A BURIAL SERVICE FOR HIM. THE PRIEST
SAID, "WE DO NOT BURY CATS. YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE HIM TO ANOTHER
CHURCH." SHE SAID, "I WAS GOING TO SPEND $35,000 ON THE
FUNERAL." THE PRIEST SAID, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOUR CAT WAS
CATHOLIC."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Keyword(s): CAT ; CATHOLIC CHURCH ; FUNERAL PREPARATION ; HUMOR ; PRIEST ; RELIGION ; SURPRISE ENDING
James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE OF MERCENARY CATHOLIC PRIESTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-09-1971
POLISH EASTER BREAKFAST
THE POLISH EASTER BREAKFAST ALWAYS CONSISTS OF BLESSED FOOD.
THE EASTER BASKET ALWAYS CONTAINS: PUMPERNICKLE BREAD, HAM,
SAUSAGE, HORSERADISH, A SMALL BUTTER LAMB, ALL SEASONINGS USED BY
THE FAMILY, HARD BOILED EGGS, CANDY AND COOKIES. THERE ARE
ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF EACH ITEM (ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE TO GET HIS
FILL) BECAUSE ALL OF THE BLESSED FOOD MUST BE EATEN. NONE OF IT
CAN BE THROWN AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Date learned: 12-01-1975
OPLATEK
BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE, OPLATEK IS SERVED TO
EVERYONE PRESENT.
OPLATEK IS A THIN UNLEVEN(ED) WAFER SIMILAR TO THE HOST IN A CATHOLIC
CHURCH. EACH PERSON BREAKS OFF A SMALL PIECE OF ANOTHER'S
WAFER, WISHING HIM GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
POLISH LULLABY
SPIJ LALECZKO SPIJ, DEZKA ZAMNOZ JUZ, JUTRO WSTONISZ ZNOW, SPIJ
LALECZKO SPIJ. JA PROZY TOBIE BIDE, I KOLYSOC BEDE, DCZKA ZAMROZ
JUZ, JUTRA WSTONISZ SNOW. TRANSLATION: SLEEP LITTLE DOLLY, SLEEP
CLOSE YOUR LITTLE EYES. TOMORROW YOU WILL RISE AGAIN SLEEP
LITTLE DOLLY, SLEEP. I WILL SIT BESIDE YOU AND I WILL ROCK YOU.
TOMORROW YOU WILL RISE AGAIN, SLEEP, LITTLE DOLLY, SLEEP
Submitter comment:
SUNG BY INFORMANT'S MOTHER AND BY INFORMANT TO HER CHILDREN.
SPELLING AND TRANSLATION CAME FROM INFORMANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 11-07-1974
POLISH PRAYER
ZA TWE MAMO PRACE TROSKI BEDA PROSIE MATKI BOSKI BY CIE
OBDARZYLA ZDROWIEM JAK WOSNE VIECEJ POWIEM. TRANSLATION: FOR ALL
YOUR WORK AND WORRY, I BESEECH THE MOTHER OF GOD TO GIFT YOU
WITH HEALTH AND WHEN I GROW UP I'LL TELL YOU MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT: GIFT AS VERB ; PIOUS GOOD WISHES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.643 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 |
Date learned: 11-07-1974
MR. TWADOWSKI, THE MAN IN THE MOON
THERE WAS A MAN NAMED TWADOWSKI WHO WANTED SOMETHING VERY BAD.
HE WANTED IT SO BAD THAT HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL TO SELL
HIS SOUL. WHEN THE DEVIL AND HIS HELPERS CAME TO COLLECT
TWADOWSKI, HE RAN FOR A CHURCH SO THAT HE WOULD BE SAVED. THE
CHURCH WAS LOCKED. TWADOWSKI WAS CLINGING TO THE DOOR KNOB WHEN
THE DEVIL'S HELPERS CAUGHT HIM. HE WAS CLINGING SO HARD THAT THEY
HAD TO PULL THE DOOR OFF THE CHURCH TO CARRY HIM AWAY. AS THEY
WERE CARRYING HIM, HE KEPT SAYING THE HAIL MARY. WITH EACH HAIL
MARY, THE DOOR AND TWADOWSKI BECAME HEAVIER. FINALLY THE DEVIL
AND HIS HELPERS COULD NO LONGER CARRY TWADOWSKI. SO THEY DROPPED
HIM OFF ON THE MOON. AND TO THIS DAY YOU CAN STILL SEE HIS
SMILING FACE IN THE MOON.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY CAME OVER FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Expression of Fixed Form |
Date learned: 00-00-1913
A POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM.
BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M.
THE FAMILY GATHERS, CELEBRATES.
8:00 P.M. FOOD IS BROUGHT OUT
BUT NO MEAT IS SERVED, ONLY
FISH AND MACARONI, THIS IS THE
FASTING TIME. 9:00 P.M. SANTA
CLAUS ARRIVES BRINGING GIFTS
FOR ALL THE CHILDREN. AT 10:30 P.M.
CAROLS ARE SUNG. 11:30 P.M.
MIDNIGHT MASS. 1:00 A.M. PASSING
OUT OF WAFER, THEN MEAT IS BROUGHT OUT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS PRACTICED BY CONNIE'S IN-LAWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): MACARONI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
EAT A LOT OF CARROTS WHEN
EXPECTING, YOUR BABY WILL
HAVE THICK HAIR AND GOOD EYES.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO JEAN BY HER SISTER
IN-LAW A LONG TIME AGO, SHE TOLD
THIS TO EVERYONE. JEAN'S SISTER
IN-LAW'S CHILDREN HAD NO HAIR AND
EACH ONE WEARS GLASSES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, THE NEXT PERSON WHO KISSES
YOU IS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A CUSTOM OR RATHER SUPERSTITION STILL FOLLOWED BY
SOME UKRAINIAN-AMERICANS TODAY STATES THAT IF A
SINGLE GIRL FALLS ON THE ICE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, SHE
WILL BE MARRIED. IF AN OLD MAN FALLS ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY (SLIPPING ON THE ICE) THEN HE WILL DIE IN
THAT SAME YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
MACKEREL SKIES (SKIES COVERED WITH A THIN LAYER
OF RIPPLED CLOUDS RESEMBLING THE SCALES OF A FISH
PATTERN) AND MARES' TALES (TRAILING WISPS OF CLOUDS)
FORETELL RAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
FOOD
ON CHRISTMAS EVE ELEVEN DIFFERENT DISHES ARE PREPARED. THESE ARE
TRADITIONAL POLISH FOODS USUALLY LEFT UP TO THE DECISION OF THE
HOSTESS AS TO WHAT WILL BE SERVED. THE ONLY DISH WHICH MUST BE
SERVED IS THAT OF ANGEL BREAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; POLISH ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 BELIEF -- Number P686.1.11 |
Date learned: 03-21-1971
FOLK TALE
MY GREAT AUNT BELIEVED AND TOLD THE STORY THAT IF YOU DID NOT TAKE
PICTURES OF THE DEAD CORPSE OF YOUR RELATIVES THEY WOULD COME BACK T
HAUNT YOU.
Submitter comment:
SHE TOLD THIS BECAUSE NOBODY EVER WANTED TO TAKE THE PICTRUES OF HER
THREE DEAD SISTERS DURING THEIR FUNERALS.
Where learned: HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IT WAS TOLD BY MY GREAT AUNT THAT IF ONE DID NOT PUT OUT MILK AND
COOKIES FOR ST. ANNE ON HER BIRTHDAY, ONE WOULD SUFFER BAD LUCK AND
FATAL ILLNESS FOR FIVE YEARS.
Where learned: HAMTRAMCK
Date learned: 00-00-1979