The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FIRST VOWS IN THE SOCIETY

THERE IS A STORY TOLD FREQUENTLY IN THE JESUITS ABOUT A NOVICE WHO
WAS PRONOUNCING FIRST VOWS ALONG WITH 8 OR 10 OTHER NOVICES. INSTEAD
OF PLEDGING PERPETUAL POVERTY, CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE; HE WAS HEARD
TO SAY, "I VOW PERPETUAL POVERTY, CHARITY, AND OBEDIENCE." WHILE
IT DOES SOUND SIMILAR, THE MEANINGS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. HE
WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FOUND OUT AND MADE TO REPEAT THE CORRECT
FORMULA BY HIMSELF.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 09-20-1972