What is the quinceañera’s traditional religious service commonly called in Spanish?

The quinceañera’s traditional religious service is commonly called a misa de acción de gracias.

The phrase means “thanksgiving Mass.” In Catholic families, it can accompany the birthday celebration and provide a religious setting for prayers of gratitude, blessings, and commitments. The service is commonly held before the reception, though schedules and practices vary.

Not every quinceañera includes Mass. Secular celebrations, non-Catholic ceremonies, family blessings, and other formats are also common, particularly in diverse communities. The religious component therefore describes a traditional option rather than a requirement.

Misa de gallo is a Christmas Eve or Christmas midnight Mass, while a requiem is a Mass associated with the dead. Those terms may sound familiar but do not identify the customary quinceañera thanksgiving service.