What Spanish religious service is often included in a traditional quinceañera celebration?

A traditional quinceañera may include a Misa de acción de gracias, or Thanksgiving Mass.

This Catholic service gives the family an opportunity to express gratitude and to mark the celebrant’s fifteenth birthday in a religious setting. It is commonly held before the reception, although the order and format can differ. The service is not required for every quinceañera, particularly when a family is not Catholic or chooses a secular celebration.

The Spanish phrase literally identifies a Mass of thanksgiving. It is therefore different from a wedding Mass, a funeral Mass, or the Christmas Misa de gallo. A priest may offer a blessing, and the celebrant may participate in readings or other parts of the liturgy, depending on local practice.

Modern quinceañeras often blend Catholic elements with family customs and contemporary entertainment. Some families replace the Mass with a church blessing, another religious service, or no formal ceremony at all.