The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PROFESSIONAL PRAYER-MAN

WHEN A CHILD BECAME SICK, ESPECIALLY IF HE LOST HIS
APPETITE OR STARTED LOSING WEIGHT, HE WAS BELIEVED TO
HAVE A HEX ON HIM. (THE HEX WAS USUALLY MEANT FOR THE MOTHER
BUT SINCE SHE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO WARD IT OFF IT WAS PUT
ON THE CHILD BY THE MOTHER'S ENEMY). WHEN THIS
HAPPENED THE PARENTS WOULD ASK A MR. RAUDENSKY (A MAN IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD--THERE WERE OTHERS IN OTHER AREAS) TO PRAY THE
HEX AWAY. HE WOULD PRAY FOR THREE DAYS WHEN THE SUN WENT DOWN
AND THE PARENTS WOULD PAY HIM $1 OR GIVE HIM FOOD
IF THEY HAD NO MONEY

Submitter comment: PRACTICED IN STEELTON, PA. ABOUT 1920.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-12-1964