What is the traditional religious service at many quinceañeras called?

The traditional religious service at many quinceañeras is called a misa de acción de gracias.

This Spanish phrase means “Mass of thanksgiving.” In families who follow Catholic traditions, the service gives the celebrant an opportunity to give thanks and receive a blessing before the reception. It is often held in a church on the day of the celebration.

The service is not mandatory. Many quinceañeras are secular, and even religious celebrations can be adapted to local practice or family preference. A church ceremony should therefore not be treated as a defining requirement of every quinceañera.

The misa is also distinct from Catholic rites such as First Communion, Confirmation, and a wedding. Its purpose in this context is thanksgiving and blessing at the fifteenth-birthday milestone, not the administration of one of those sacraments.