In a quinceañera ceremony, what Spanish name is commonly given to the special Mass of thanksgiving?

In a quinceañera ceremony, the special Mass of thanksgiving is commonly called a misa de acción de gracias.

The phrase literally means “Mass of thanksgiving.” In Catholic families, this service may take place before the reception and gives the honoree an opportunity to give thanks for her life, family, and faith. The ceremony can also include prayers, readings, music, and a blessing.

A quinceañera is not identical everywhere. Some families hold a religious service, while others choose a secular ceremony or only a reception. Even within Catholic communities, the order of events, clothing, attendants, and religious elements can differ.

The term is sometimes confused with ordinary Sunday Mass or with a wedding Mass. Its purpose is different: it marks a fifteenth-birthday milestone and is not a marriage ceremony. The Spanish wording may also appear with capitalization or minor regional variation in printed programs.