I went to a catholic school from Pre-K to 12th grade. My education is something I am so thankful for to this day and I truly do love the catholic school system but, there are many distinct things that stick with me from my catholic school days. Here is a list of things that you know if you went to catholic school:
1. Choosing Outfits in the Morning in College is much more difficult
When I got to college, I truly believed I was prepared until week one was done and I realized how spoiled I was by the ability to wear polyester and plaid everyday.
2. The best Looking cross on Ash Wednesday was quite an honor
The majority of the time you received ashes, you just had a giant blob on your forehead that you inevitably wiped off by “accident”. The perfect cross, however, was always an honor and you enjoyed a full day of compliments.
3. Dress Down Days were only slightly terrifying
Dress down days were some of the best and worst days of middle school life. Although it was nice to have a day away from the same old uniform, the nerves of your outfit being in violation of the rules and having to be the only one in the uniform was quite scary.
4. You still envy the kids who got to play Mary and Joseph in the Kindergarten Christmas Play
I still remember to this day, even though it is 14 years later, who played Mary and Joseph while I was just another angel. I was so envious watching Mary carry down the little baby doll wrapped up in a towel and wanted nothing more than to be her.
5. The Stations of the Cross were the bane of your existence
Every single Friday during the 40 days of lent was spent at the stations of the cross reading the same booklet and singing the same song 14 times. I can still sing every verse of “Were You There.”
6. Gossip Travels Fast in a class of less than 20 people
Whether he had a crush on her, or she called her ugly, you knew about it within 5 minutes of it happening. Gossip was one of the only things to keep us entertained in school so even the smallest thing caused outrage.
7. The School Day didn't start until we said the pledge and a prayer
Every single morning each class would line up in their spot in front of the flag pole, the 8th graders always being in the front and center and would sing a patriotic song, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and say the Our Father before continuing on to the classrooms to learn.
8. Going to Confession was Horrifying
At least every 6 months, the whole school would make a trip to the church and wait to give their confession to the priest that went along with their church. The whole time you are sitting and waiting, however, you are thinking to yourself how you should phrase the things you had done in order to make them seem a little bit better. Then once you were in the room sitting face to face with your priest, you told your sins you had practiced with a shaky voice.
