The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PRECIOUS BLOOD PROCESSION

PROCESSIONS ARE FAMOUS IN BELGIUM. THIS PROCESSION IS
HELD ON THE FIRST SUNDAY IN MAY. IN BRUGGE, BELGIUM,
THIS PROCESSION DATES BACK TO THE MIDDLE AGES--THE CRUSADES.
THERE IS A RELIC THAT IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK
FROM THE CRUSADES BY THE CRUSADERS--A VIAL OF CHRIST'S
BLOOD. THIS RELIC IS PRESENT IN THE GRAND PROCESSION.
THE PROCESSION IS ORNATE AND ELABORATE. MY SOURCE SAYS
PROCESSIONS DID NOT LIVE IN AMERICA BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-05-1985