A Catholic Mass may traditionally precede a quinceañera celebration for families observing the custom through the Catholic Church.
This service is often described as a Mass of thanksgiving, or Misa de acción de gracias. During it, the celebrant may express gratitude for life and family and receive a blessing. The service can also include readings, prayers, music, and symbolic presentation of items associated with the celebration.
The Mass is not required for every quinceañera. The tradition is practiced by families with different religious commitments, and many celebrations take place without a church service. Some families instead hold a secular ceremony, a blessing, or a gathering centered entirely on the birthday reception.
A quinceañera Mass is also different from a wedding. It does not marry the celebrant, and it does not itself establish legal adulthood. Its role is religious and commemorative, while the reception provides the social and festive part of the occasion.