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48
the miracles of antichrist
Ill
the godsister
On the noble Isle of Sicily, where more remains
of ancient custom than anywhere else in the South, it
is still in vogue that every person yet in childhood
chooses for her or himself a godbrother or godsister,
who will carry his or her child, should there be one,
to the baptismal font.
But this is by no means the only use which
godchildren are to each other. Godchildren must love
each other, serve each other and revenge each other.
In a godbrother’s ear a man may bury his secrets.
He may intrust him with both his money and his
betrothed without being betrayed. Godchildren are
faithful to each other, as if they were born of the
same mother, because their covenant is concluded
before San Giovanni Battista, who of all the saints
is most feared.
It is also customary that poor people bring their
half-grown children to the rich and beg that they
might be godchildren with their young sons and
daughters. What a joyful sight, is it not, to see on
John the Baptist’s day all these little children, in
holiday attire, roaming about through the great cities
seeking godsisters or godbrothers! If the parents
suceed in giving their son a rich godbrother, they
are as happy as if they were able to leave him for
inheritance a country estate.
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