Ever since birth, I have been raised in a loving and caring Roman Catholic family. I have thoroughly enjoyed being raised as a Catholic. Going to church, singing gospel songs and learning about the many different Christian morals and values has shaped me into the person I am today. Through these 20 years of experience, I have noticed that many other of my peers have felt many similar tendencies as they have grown up in similar environments. I present to you, 11 ways you know you grew up Catholic, and love it. As a kid growing up Catholic, you...

1. Probably played mass with your siblings, using Ritz crackers and grape juice, at least once before high school.

Playing mass with your siblings would be so stinking fun because you got to sing, kneel, and read what and whenever you wanted. The only time there was ever a major problem was if you had another sibling and they wanted to be the priest or lector for the day (but we all know that you were the best at either position). The most amazing part was when mom would let you use the dinner plates and cups as props! It was practically the real deal then.

2. Probably told your parents that you were going to be a priest, sister, nun, monk and or Pope by the time you were 5-years-old.

While other kids wanted to be veterinarians or firefighters, kids growing up Catholic usually thought about being one of the above vocations. Going into religious life was a life-long fantasy. You got to play mass every day. You got to be one of the coolest people in the entire world. And you got to hang out with Jesus for the rest of your life... What better job could there be?

3.Had an entire bookshelf dedicated to beginner Bibles or short Bible stories.

Children who grew up Catholic had at least 10 different "first" bibles and a half-dozen other Christian stories containing illustrations of cute little animals or many of the great saints. Your parents probably read these books to you before bed every night and you probably learned most of your scripture readings from these small books.

4. Going to school after Ash Wednesday made you feel somewhat embarrassed in front of your peers (but deep down, you were super proud).

Coming back to school from church after an Ash Wednesday service was always a big ordeal. You may have been given funny looks, given snarky comments, or asked really weird questions by most of your non-Catholic friends. Although somewhat embarrassing at times, you were still super proud of your faith.

5. Always had a secret battle of who could squeeze their sibling's hand harder during the Our Father prayer at Church.

All the aggression and tension that had been built up during the week, due to your siblings, could be let out during this prayer. Although definitely not appropriate, it was always fun seeing who the stronger brother or sister was. Both kids' hands would turn white as they both tried to sustain a small fit of laughter or pain, all in an attempt to show the church attendees that they weren't doing anything wrong during mass.

6. But, when your parents caught you and your sibling fooling around, they gave you "the look."

When your parents did see you (and they usually did) they gave you a look that could have frozen hell over. It was a look that you knew as a child that if you didn't stop right at that exact moment, you would probably never be seen at another mass again.

7. Know that giving the sign of peace was one of the best parts of mass.

Besides receiving the Eucharist, shaking other people's hands was literally the best part of going to Church. You got to finally talk during mass, say "hi" to all of your many family members, and actually talk to the various (nice) strangers all at the same time! Who wouldn't love that as a child?

8. Always walked into a movie theater or an auditorium (and maybe still do) and there was always that sudden impulse to genuflect before walking into the aisle to take a seat.

When going to see a brand new movie or going to see one of your cousins sing in a choir, there always came that awkward moment when you really wanted to genuflect in front of the altar out of pure habit. But then you realize that you were not in church and you quickly fumbled for your seat.

9.Whenever you heard the phrase "The force be with you" there was always the urge to reply back with "And with your spirit."

No matter the age, there was always that constant urge to instantly spit back "And with your spirit" at the mention of this phrase. Although Obi-Wan Kenobi is a super awesome Jedi knight, I don't really think his blessing is as amazing as Jesus is!

10.Your mom gave you a bottle of holy water as the cure for literally everything.

When you were sick, in pain, or scared from nightmares, your mom or dad came to the rescue with this little bottle of holy water. They would sprinkle you with it and instantly everything became better.

Along with this, "flicking" people with holy water for the sake of blessing them was definitely encouraged and super fun! Holy water for the win!

11.Hated when you went to a different parish and their organist played your favorite church song at a different tempo than your parish.

Although the music was essentially the same, that extra beat slower or faster made the entire song completely different. For the rest of the Mass and for the majority of the day, you couldn't get passed the fact that the organist would have the audacity to change your favorite song at church. But, whenever you returned to your home parish, and they played your favorite song the correct way, everything would turn out to be OK!

As stated above, I loved being raised Catholic. I was able to see and witness the sheer beauty that the Catholic faith offers as well as observe all of my siblings and cousins grow up in the Church. This faith and many of the quirks mentioned above have shaped me into the person I am today, and I am so proud to call it my own! Thank you, Catholic Church for being so awesome!