What Catholic ceremony is often held for a quinceañera as a thanksgiving service?

A quinceañera’s Catholic thanksgiving service is often called a misa de acción de gracias.

The Spanish phrase translates as “Mass of thanksgiving.” In Catholic communities, the service may take place before the reception and gives the celebrant an opportunity to express gratitude for life, family, and faith. A priest may offer a blessing, and family members or attendants can participate in readings and other parts of the liturgy.

The religious service is not identical in every quinceañera. Some families hold it in a parish church, while others celebrate only with a civil or family ceremony. The reception, formal clothing, dancing, and symbolic gifts are social customs rather than requirements of Catholic canon law. A quinceañera can therefore be religious, secular, or a combination of both.