The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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

Date learned: 00-00-1979