The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

UNSAID MASSES

NOTE: THERE IS A BELIEF THAT A PRIEST WHO DIES WITHOUT HAVING SAID
ALL THE MASSES HE HAS PROMISED TO HAVE SAID CANNOT ENTER HEAVEN UNTIL
THIS HAS BEEN DONE. MANY STORIES HAVE ARISEN CONCERNING SUCH
OCCASIONS. ONE WAS TOLD BY SISTER MARY VINCENT I.H.M.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO AN OLD MONK DIED WITHOUT HAVING CELEBRATED ONE
OF HIS PROMISED MASSES. HE HAD ALSO NEGLECTED TO RECORD
THIS MASS AS UNSAID, SO HIS SUCCESSOR DID NOT REALIZE
THE FACT. EACH AFTERNOON, AS THE NEW PRIEST ENTERED THE CHURCH
TO SAY HIS OFFICE, HE WOULD HEAR A VOICE ASK, "WON'T
SOMEONE SAY A MASS FOR ME?" THE NEW PRIEST FINALLY REALIZED THAT
THIS WAS THE VOICE OF THE DEAD MONK, AND HE CELEBRATED A
MASS FOR HIS INTENTION. HE NEVER HEARD THE VOICE AGAIN.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AT ST. PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL TO A CLASS OF
SENIORS WHICH INCLUDED MY SISTER ANNS (ANN? ANNE? ANNA?).

Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE TWO MORE STORIES ALIKE RECORDED ON THE 5X8 CARDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Date learned: 00-00-1963