The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ONE TIME A YOUNG MAN WENT TO AN EVENING MASS AND FELL
ASLEEP DURING THE SERMON. HE SLEPT THROUGH THE REST
OF THE MASS AND WHEN HE FAINLLY AWOKE, IT WAS LATE AT
NIGHT AND HE HAD BEEN LOCKED IN BY THE SEXTON WHO DID
NOT SEE HIM ASLEEP IN THE PEW. HE TRIED THE DOORS.
JUST THEN, THE CLOCK STRUCK TWELVE, AND WHEN HE TURNED
AROUND, HE SAW A PRIEST AT THE ALTAR WHO WAS BEGINNING
TO SAY MASS.
SINCE THIS YOUNG MAN WAS AN ALTAR BOY, HE WENT UP AND
SERVED MASS. WHEN MASS WAS OVER, HE ASKED THE PRIEST
WHY HE WAS SAYING MASS SO LATE AT NIGHT. THE PRIEST SAID
THAT HE HAD ACCEPTED OFFERINGS FOR MASSES WHEN HE WAS
ALIVE, BUT THAT HE DIED WITHOUT HAVING A CHANCE TO SAY
ALL OF THE MASSES THAT HE PROMISED. HE SAID THAT HE HAD
TO REMAIN IN PURGATORY UNTIL HE SAID ALL OF THE MASSES
THAT HE PROMISED, AND THAT HE WAS EVEN NOW IN PURGATORY.
WHEN THE BOY SAID THAT IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HE WAS ON
FIRE, THE PRIEST PLACED HIS HAND ON THE WALL. WHEN HE
REMOVED HIS HAND, A BLACK IMPRINT OF HIS HAND WAS BURNED
INTO THE WALL. THEN THE PRIEST VANISHED.
THE BLACK PRINT OF THE PRIEST'S HAND REMAINS ON THE
CHURCH WALL TO THIS DAY.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY 7TH GRADE TEACHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEXINGTON

Date learned: 10-07-1969