The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ETHNIC BELIEF

THERE IS A CEMETERY BEHIND ASSUMPTION GROTTO CHURCH IN NORTHEAST
DETROIT AND IT HAS A GROTTO IN IT. THE GROTTO SUPPOSEDLY LOOKS LIKE
LOURDES. ON AUGUST 16, THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION, ITALIANS FROM
ALL OVER THE CITY WALK TO THE GROTTO TO PRAY AND TO ASK FOR MIRACLES
I DON'T KNOW WHY IT SEEMS TO BE JUST ITALIANS. THERE ARE CRUTCHES
AND BRACES ON THE WALL OF THE GROTTO THAT WERE LEFT BEHIND BY PEOPLE
WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN CURED. NOW I GUESS THE PEOPLE USE
TRANSPORTATION TO GET THERE' BUT THEY DIDN,T USED TO.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SEEMED TO BELIEVE PEOPLE HAD BEEN CURED AT THE GROTTO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 11-00-1975