What religious ceremony is often held for a Catholic quinceañera?

A Catholic quinceañera is often accompanied by a thanksgiving Mass, known in Spanish as misa de acción de gracias. The service gives the family an opportunity to express gratitude and ask for blessings for the celebrant’s future.

The Mass may include special readings, prayers, music, and the presentation of religious objects such as a Bible or rosary. The celebrant may also be accompanied by parents, godparents, and members of her court.

This service is not the same as a baptism, confirmation, or wedding. A quinceañera is a cultural coming-of-age celebration, while the Mass is a religious service that some Catholic families add to it.

Practices differ substantially. Some families hold the Mass before the reception, some choose a different Christian service, and others have no religious ceremony. A secular quinceañera can still include the same family gathering, formal clothing, dances, and symbolic rituals.