What is the traditional Spanish name for a quinceañera’s formal thanksgiving Mass?

The traditional Spanish name for a quinceañera’s formal thanksgiving Mass is misa de acción de gracias.

The phrase literally means “Mass of thanksgiving.” It describes the religious service held by many Catholic families before the reception. The service gives thanks for the celebrant’s life and asks for guidance as she enters a new stage of adolescence.

A parish may use related wording, such as quinceañera Mass or a blessing for the fifteenth birthday. Local diocesan rules can determine whether the celebrant must attend preparation sessions, participate in a parish program, or meet other requirements.

This Mass is not the same as the reception, the court presentation, or the waltz. Those elements normally occur afterward and are cultural or family customs rather than parts of the Catholic liturgy itself. Many contemporary families also celebrate without a church service.