A Catholic Mass often precedes a traditional quinceañera reception.
The service is commonly described as a thanksgiving Mass, or misa de acción de gracias. During it, the celebrant and family may give thanks, receive a blessing, and make commitments connected with faith and family life. The precise liturgy depends on the parish and local practice.
The Mass is not the same as a wedding, baptism, or confirmation. A quinceañera is generally not a sacrament, and the birthday celebration does not itself create a new legal or ecclesiastical status. Some parishes have specific preparation requirements, while others may use a simpler blessing.
Many families hold a reception after the church service, but secular families and families from other denominations may adapt the tradition or omit the religious portion. Thus, Mass is a common Catholic component, not an essential condition for calling an event a quinceañera.