What formal religious ceremony is often included in a Catholic quinceañera?

A Catholic quinceañera often includes a Misa de acción de gracias, or thanksgiving Mass.

The service gives the family a religious setting in which to express gratitude for the celebrant’s life and to pray for her future. Depending on the parish and family, the ceremony may include readings, prayers, a blessing, and participation by parents, sponsors, or the court of honor.

This Mass is not the same sacrament as baptism, confirmation, or marriage. A quinceañera thanksgiving service is a devotional celebration associated with a birthday milestone rather than a sacrament that changes a person’s formal status in the Catholic Church. Parish practices and names can differ.

Not every quinceañera includes a church service. Some families are not Catholic, some choose a secular ceremony, and others hold only a reception. The religious component is therefore traditional in many communities, but it is not a requirement for calling an event a quinceañera.