Having been a voracious reader since age 3, I was familiar with a variety of religious practices at an early age. But I didn't encounter Catholic-style Ash Wednesday until I was in 3rd or 4th grade. A girl in my (public school) classroom showed up with a dark spot on her forehead and a very nice dress on. I assumed that people were FINALLY being allowed to marry at a proper age in this country, and congratulated her on her wedding. She had no idea what the heck I was talking about. Then someone said it was because of Ash Wednesday, but could not explain it. I had to ask Mom about it when I got home to get the straight story. I had assumed that my very Catholic classmate was Hindu, and that she was now wearing a "tip" (the dot on the forehead) as she was now married!
A childhood belief about church
others believed things like this
- When a "mean girl" in early grade school asked me if I was a virgin I answered "no I am catholic."— Hilary
- I used 2 beleive yer @$$ was yer foreheadAnon
- I was a little Catholic girl, and I used to believe that deviled ham was chopped up devils.— Camille, Palo Alto, CA
- I used to believe that the wrinkles on my dad's forehead were his feelings.— Suzy
- I used to think my forehead was actually called a three-head.— Fen
- I used to think when someone had wrinkles on their forehead, it meant they had a headacheAnon