Quinceañeras

The quinceañera celebrates a Mexican or Mexican-American woman's fifteenth birthday and coming of age. This is a very important, significant ceremony, and it carries religious overtones, as the young woman is now viewed as a responsible adult member of the Roman Catholic Church.

In the presence of family and friends, the young woman (the quinceañera), often accompanied by fifteen young men and women of her choice (damas y chambelanes), enters the Church in procession, together with her parents and godparents. During the Mass, the quinceañera makes a commitment to God and the Blessed Virgin to live out the rest of her life according to the teachings of Christ and the Church by renewing her Baptismal promises. Then, signs of faith (medal, Bible, rosary, prayer book) which have been blessed may be given to her. A special blessing of the quinceañera concludes the Mass. After Mass the young woman is presented to the community. The ritual often continues with a dinner and dance in her honor.

Since only approved and confirmed rites may be used in the Liturgy, an Order for the Blessing on the Fifteenth Birthday was approved by the full body of U.S. Bishops and received the recognitio from the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.  This is the Quinceañeras ritual approved for use in the dioceses of the United States of America in 2007.

Requirements at IHM

Quinceañeras Masses are scheduled individually and can be held on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. (except for the third Saturday of the month), 2:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.  The Mass for quinceañeras must be reserved six months prior to the desired date. 
 
The quinceañeras must:

1. Have received her First Communion, and
2. Be enrolled and attending the Youth Ministry program, and
3. Attend the quinceañeras workshop, and
4. Make the corresponding payment, and
5. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the special Mass.

To set-up the date for a Quinceañeras Mass, please contact Fr. Carlos Ortega.

For questions or to register for the Quinceañeras workshop, contact Alicia Guerrero.