A Catholic Mass is often held as part of a quinceañera.
Many Catholic families begin the celebration with a special church service commonly known as a Misa de acción de gracias, or thanksgiving Mass. The celebrant and family may give thanks, receive a blessing, and participate in readings or other parts of the liturgy according to local parish practice.
This service is not the same as a baptism, confirmation, or wedding. A quinceañera Mass does not confer a sacrament or establish a marriage. Its purpose is thanksgiving and prayer around the fifteenth-birthday milestone.
Not every quinceañera includes a Mass. Families may choose a secular ceremony, another Christian service, or a reception without a religious component. The custom is particularly associated with Catholic communities, but the broader celebration also exists beyond Catholic practice.