The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AUGUST FESTIVAL

A TRUNK WAS FOUND IN THE SEA BETWEEN TWO CITIES IN ITALY,
TRAPANI AND MARSALA. THE TWO CITIES DISAGREED TO WHOM THE TRUNK
WHICH CONTAINED A BEAUTIFUL STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN, BELONGED.
FINALLY THEY MEASURED THE DISTANCE AND TRAPANI WON. NOW THEY HAVE A
THREE DAY FESTIVAL IN AUGUST WHERE THEY DRESS THE STATUE ALL IN
GOLD. NO ONE SLEEPS FOR THESE THREE DAYS IF POSSIBLE. MIRACULOUS
FAVORS HAVE BEEN SAID TO OCCUR THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE
BLESSED MOTHER IN THIS FORM. DEVOTED PEOPLE LEAVE JEWELRY WITH THE
STATUE AS OFFERINGS FOR FAVORS OR PROTECTION. THE THREE DAY
FESTIVAL COULD BE COMPARED TO A MARDI GRAS, FIRE WORKS, ETC. THE
STATUE IS CALLED "MADRE DE TRAPANI."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 12-00-1969