What Spanish name is often given to a quinceañera’s formal thanksgiving service?

A quinceañera’s formal thanksgiving service is often called a misa de acción de gracias.

The Spanish phrase means “thanksgiving Mass.” In a Catholic celebration, the service gives the quinceañera and her family an opportunity to express gratitude and receive a blessing. It may include scripture readings, prayers, music, and participation by family members or the court.

The phrase describes the service’s purpose, not a universal liturgical sacrament. A quinceañera is a cultural and religious tradition, while Catholic sacraments such as baptism, confirmation, and marriage have different meanings and rites. A thanksgiving Mass may be scheduled before the reception, with the party following at a hall, home, or other venue.

Not all quinceañeras include this service. Families may hold a secular ceremony, follow another faith, or celebrate privately. Regional Spanish usage can also vary, and some English-language sources simply call the service a quinceañera Mass. The key distinction is that the service is associated with gratitude for the celebrant’s fifteenth birthday.