What is the traditional religious service in which many quinceañeras give thanks?

Many traditional quinceañeras include a Catholic Mass, often called a Misa de Acción de Gracias, or thanksgiving Mass.

The religious service gives the family an opportunity to express gratitude for the celebrant’s life and to ask for guidance as she enters a new stage. Depending on local practice, the celebrant may attend with family members and a court of honor. The Mass may take place before the reception, but the exact order varies.

A Catholic Mass is not mandatory for every quinceañera. Families may choose a secular ceremony, a different Christian service, or a celebration without a formal religious component. Quinceañera customs have changed as the tradition has spread internationally and as families have adapted it to their own beliefs.

The Mass should not be confused with baptism or confirmation. Those are separate sacraments in the Catholic Church. A quinceañera service is generally a thanksgiving and blessing associated with a birthday milestone, not a sacrament.