A Mass may precede a religiously observed quinceañera celebration. In Catholic families, the service gives the milestone a formal religious setting before the reception and other festivities.
The service can include prayers of thanksgiving and a blessing for the young woman. Families may also present symbolic items such as a Bible or rosary, although the exact customs vary by parish and country.
A quinceañera Mass is not required for every celebration. Some families hold only a reception, while others choose a different religious service or a nonreligious ceremony. The important distinction is that the Mass is a Catholic worship service, not the name for the entire birthday celebration.