What Spanish term traditionally describes the religious thanksgiving Mass held for a quinceañera?

A quinceañera’s religious thanksgiving Mass is traditionally called a Misa de acción de gracias.

The phrase means “Mass of thanksgiving” in Spanish. In Catholic families, this service may take place before or during the wider quinceañera celebration, which marks a girl’s fifteenth birthday and coming-of-age. The Mass gives the family an opportunity to express gratitude and ask for blessings for the celebrant’s future.

The religious service is not universal. Some families hold a secular party, while others combine a church service with a reception, formal clothing, music, dancing, and symbolic presentations. A quinceañera is therefore a cultural tradition with regional and family variations, not a sacrament of the Catholic Church. It should also not be confused with confirmation, which is a separate Catholic rite.