What is the traditional religious service sometimes held as part of a quinceañera?

The traditional religious service sometimes held as part of a quinceañera is a misa de acción de gracias.

This Spanish phrase means “Mass of thanksgiving.” In families who include a Catholic ceremony, the service gives the celebrant and her relatives an opportunity to express gratitude and seek blessings as she reaches fifteen.

The Mass is not required for every quinceañera. Religious practice varies by family, denomination, country, and local custom, and many celebrations are secular or combine religious and nonreligious elements. A reception may follow the service and usually includes food, music, dancing, and formal photographs.

The ceremony is distinct from baptism, confirmation, and a wedding Mass. A quinceañera is a birthday and coming-of-age observance, not a sacrament. The phrase is therefore a useful specific term for the thanksgiving service associated with some traditional celebrations.