The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Legend

In 1918, there was an epidemic of flu, or "grippe."
My father's uncle Derek became sick two weeks after
my great-grandfather died. The family noticed that
the holy card (with the Virgin pictured) was
standing up on its own on his night table.
A priest was called in, and he roped the table off.
The card remained standing with no apparent support
until Derek died, when it suddenly fell over.
This happened in Verdun, near Quebec.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT