What is the traditional Catholic ceremony associated with a quinceañera called?

The traditional Catholic ceremony associated with a quinceañera is the Misa de Acción de Gracias, or Mass of Thanksgiving.

In a Catholic celebration, the Mass gives the fifteenth birthday a religious setting. The celebrant may enter with family members, listen to readings, receive a blessing, and participate in prayers of thanksgiving. The exact order depends on the parish and the local customs of the country.

A quinceañera Mass is not the same sacrament as a wedding, baptism, or confirmation. It is a liturgical celebration or blessing connected with the birthday, rather than a sacrament that changes the person’s legal or ecclesiastical status.

Not every quinceañera includes Mass. Secular ceremonies are common, and families from different Christian traditions or other religious backgrounds may adapt the event. The Spanish title is therefore most accurate when describing the traditional Catholic form, not every modern fifteenth-birthday party.