The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 1ST (THE DAY BEFORE ALL
SOULS DAY) IT IS A CUSTOM TO PLACE A GLASS OF
WATER ON A LEDGE OUTSIDE A WINDOW SO THAT THE MANY
SOULS WHO WILL BE GOING TO HEAVEN THAT DAY DUE TO
THE SPECIAL PRAYERS SAID FOR THEM, WILL BE ABLE TO
HAVE A DRINK OF WATER, WHILE ON THEIR WAY. THESE SOULS,
GRATEFUL FOR THE COOLING WATER, WILL THEN REMEMBER
YOU WHEN YOU ARE IN PURGATORY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DOESN'T KNOW WHERE DONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-25-1971