A Catholic Mass commonly forms the religious part of a traditional quinceañera.
In Catholic families, the service may be called a Misa de Acción de Gracias, or Thanksgiving Mass. The honoree and her family give thanks, and the celebration can include prayers, blessings, readings, and commitments connected with faith and family life.
The Mass is not universal. Quinceañeras are also celebrated by people who are not Catholic, and many families hold only a civil or cultural event. Customs depend on country, denomination, family preference, and the availability of a church.
A quinceañera Mass is distinct from baptism, confirmation, or a wedding. It is generally a thanksgiving celebration associated with a fifteenth birthday, rather than a sacrament that changes the participant’s religious status.