The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

WHILE WORKING AT THE LITTLE SISTERS HOME IN TOLEDO, OHIO DURING THE
SUMMER OF 1971, I WAS ABLE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:
DURING A THREE WEEK DRY SPELL, THE SISTER WHOSE JOB IT WAS TO GO OUT
EVERY DAY AND BEG FOR THE COMMUNITY PLACED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH
(THE PATRON OF THE ORDER) IN A BUCKET OF WATER UP TO THE STATUE'S
NECK, AND THEN ASKED THE OTHER SISTERS TO JOIN WITH HER IN PRAYING
TO ST. JOSEPH FOR SOME RAIN. THE NEXT DAY WHILE OUT DRIVING THEIR
PICK-UP TRUCK ON HER BEGGING ROUNDS, SISTER ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT
DURING A TERRIBLE THUNDER STORM WHEN SHE SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD WITH
THE TRUCK. HER IMMEDIATE COMMENT WAS THAT SHE HAD HAD A FEELING
THE DAY BEFORE THAT SHE SHOULD ONLY HAVE PLACED ST. JOSEPH IN UP TO
HIS KNEES AND NOT UP TO HIS NECK.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT'S OBSERVATIONS ARE THAT THE LITTLE SISTERS HAVE A SIMPLE
BUT PROFOUND FAITH, ONE THAT MIGHT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE MAGIC TO MORE
SOPHISTICATED PEOPLE

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

DOES COLLECTOR MEAN UNSOPHISTICATED PEOPLE?
SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE TALE OF "BUYING THE WIND."
THE MOTIF IS ONE OF OVERDOING SOMETHING.
 

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-20-1972