Ok. I think I can help with some of the Catholic stuff. Technically, you are not fully subject to the laws of the church until you are confirmed. Certain traditions (such as fasting on fridays and before communion) had age requirements and you could be issued dispensations if you had a medical reason or some such. I know someone who would pass out in church all the time so she got to eat before communion.
As for covering women's heads, this is where it gets a little weird. Technically, the canon law requiring women cover their heads in church was in effect from 1917 to 1983. The Canon in 1983 did NOT revoke the need to wear veils, but didn't reiterate it either. However, with the exception of Easter Sunday and my First Holy Communion, I never wore a hat or a veil. It fell out of favor in the late 60s and early 70s in the US. Elsewhere in the world, Catholic women often still wear veils, mantillas or babushkas. And, if you are having an audience with the Pope, your should wear a black mantilla, unless you are a Catholic queen, in which case you can wear a white mantilla.
