What is the name of the formal religious service often associated with a Catholic quinceañera?

The formal religious service often associated with a Catholic quinceañera is a Misa de acción de gracias.

This Spanish phrase means “Mass of thanksgiving.” In communities where the celebration has a Catholic component, the young woman and her family may attend a special Mass before the reception. The service provides a religious setting for prayers of gratitude and blessings for the next stage of life.

The Mass is not a required part of every quinceañera. Customs differ among families and countries, and many celebrations are primarily social or cultural. A church ceremony may be scheduled separately from the banquet, dancing, photographs, and other festivities.

The phrase should not be confused with Misa de gallo, the Spanish name commonly used for Christmas Eve or Christmas midnight Mass. Nor is a quinceañera Mass the same as a wedding ceremony: it celebrates a birthday and transition, not a marriage.