With Easter, one of the most important Catholic holidays, right around the corner it’s time to reflect on all of those fond memories you had as a kid growing up in a Roman Catholic household.
1. Bed Time Prayers
Every good little Catholic girl and boy can recall a time where their parents would pray with them before bedtime. You would sit on your knees against your bed and recite the “Our Father”, and maybe if you were bad that day you have to say a “Hail Mary” or two. Then you would ask God to protect all of your family members and your toys of course!
2. Church Every Sunday
Don’t remember your grandma picking you up to go to Church every Sunday? I do! I remember getting woken up early, shoved into frilly socks and a dress, and forced to talk to all of my grandmother’s Church friends every single Sunday of my young life.
3. Rosary Beads, everywhere!
Growing up did it ever seem like your grandmother had an endless supply of rosary beads? I mean seriously, they would just pop up everywhere! In between couch cushions, beside her bed, dangling from the rearview mirror of her car, and even in her purse. There was certainly no shortage of rosary beads when grandma was around.
4. The Nuns
If you don't shutter at those two words there’s a good chance that you didn’t grow up Roman Catholic. While there are many kind-hearted and gentle Nuns out there, most of us can recall a frightening one or two! I have to give those women credit though because they really do know how to keep a group of antsy kids in line!
5. Sunday School
In order to reach the first major level of your Catholic life, your First Holy Communion, there are many steps that you must complete. Sunday school is probably the most dreadful! After being woken up early to go to mass and talk with your grandma’s friends, I’m sure you can remember being dragged over to the smaller building beside the Church to learn theology. School six days a week, EW!
6. Your First Time Eating the Eucharist
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Catholic religion, the Eucharist is a small wafer that represents the body of Christ and it is served during every single mass. I don’t know why, but as kids, we all looked forward to eating it when we were older. The first time I tried it I was 7 and I almost spit it out! Seriously, it’s like eating cardboard, no offense to Jesus.
7. Your First Holy Communion
There's only one thing that is more important than your wedding day in the Roman Catholic world and that is your First Holy Communion. You even have to wear a white dress and everything, unless you're a boy then you wear a suit. All of your relatives visit from out of state and get dressed up, you have a huge party afterward with a DJ and all, and you even get showered with gifts! It’s a mini wedding minus the person you're getting married to, no joke.
8. Hearing the words “Don’t waste food, it’s a sin!” over and over again
I don’t know if this is just an Italian thing or if it’s a Roman Catholic thing but I cannot throw away food without hearing a voice in my ear saying, “Don’t waste your food, it’s a sin!” Now, while I don't remember seeing “Do not waste food” in the Ten Commandments, my grandmother swore up and down that I would be punished for not finishing my dinner. Looking back, I think she was just trying to scare me into eating more, oh those Italians!
9. Easter Outfits
Do you remember being dressed up like a doll every single Easter Sunday? Khakis, a button down, and dockers for the boys and dresses with frilly socks and a giant Easter bonnet for the ladies. It was like an English fashion show with all of the different hats that you would see at Church on Easter.
10. Having No Clue What’s Going on in Mass
Finally, do you remember those awkward moments during mass when you would have absolutely no idea what anyone was talking about? One second you’d be peacefully playing with your shoelaces and the next everyone is standing up reciting some prayer that you’ve never heard before or singing a hymn that you don’t know the words to! And the disapproving stares you would get from the next pew over, those were humiliating!
In the end, though, I’m glad I grew up Roman Catholic. It’s taught me many values and moral lessons, given me fond memories, and has made me the person that I am today.
