What type of church service may be held as part of a traditional quinceañera?

A traditional quinceañera may include a Thanksgiving Mass, known in Spanish as a misa de acción de gracias.

For Catholic families, this service offers an opportunity to give thanks for the celebrant’s life and to ask for guidance and blessing as she enters a new stage. The Mass may take place before the reception, although exact schedules vary. Some families also include readings, prayers, or a dedication involving parents and godparents.

A Thanksgiving Mass is not the same as baptism, confirmation, or a wedding. A quinceañera does not itself confer a sacrament or change a person’s legal status. It is a cultural and family milestone, and its religious form depends on the household’s tradition. Many contemporary celebrations are entirely secular or include a non-Catholic service.

The Spanish title can be translated in several natural ways, including “Mass of Thanksgiving.” English-language descriptions often capitalize Mass because they are referring to the Catholic liturgy.