What is the traditional religious service sometimes included in a quinceañera called?

The traditional religious service sometimes included in a quinceañera is called a misa de acción de gracias.

This Spanish phrase means “Mass of thanksgiving.” In Catholic families, it can be held before the reception and provides a setting for prayers, blessings, and gratitude for the celebrant’s life. The service is not required for every quinceañera, because families may choose a secular event or follow another religious tradition.

A quinceañera Mass is often connected with the celebrant’s family and parish community. The young woman may make commitments concerning faith, family, or personal values, depending on local practice and the church’s requirements. Some parishes also ask the family to complete preparation before the ceremony.

The name can be confused with other Spanish Catholic terms. Misa de gallo is the Christmas Eve or Christmas midnight Mass in many Spanish-speaking communities, while a baptism is a different sacrament. A quinceañera Mass is therefore best understood as a thanksgiving service associated with a fifteenth-birthday celebration, not as a sacrament itself.