A traditional quinceañera religious service commonly takes the form of a Catholic Mass.
The service is often called a misa de acción de gracias, or Mass of thanksgiving. It gives the family an opportunity to express gratitude and to ask for blessings as the honoree enters a new stage of life. Some celebrations include a blessing rather than a full Mass.
The religious component is not universal. Quinceañeras are held by families with different levels of religious observance, and some choose a civil ceremony, a nonreligious gathering, or only a reception. The reception may follow the church service and usually contains the more recognizable music, food, speeches, and dancing.
A quinceañera is therefore not a wedding or a baptism. Its religious service may resemble other Catholic celebrations in format, but its purpose is to mark a fifteenth birthday and give thanks.