Quinceaneras

In the Latino tradition when a girl turns 15 she marks the transition into adulthood. This coming of age is often ritualized by a blessing within a Mass known as a quince años, Spanish for 15 years, and the girl who celebrates her quince años is called a quinceañera.

Due to the influx of immigrants from Latino countries, the number of quinceañeras has grown, and they are big business. It is estimated that the average quinceañera costs between $5,000 and $20,000, creating a multi-million dollar industry.

The exact origin of the quince años is unknown, but it likely has its roots in indigenous rites of initiation for both boys and girls who reached an age of maturity. The celebration was a rite of passage between childhood and adulthood. For whatever reason, the tradition of initiating girls survived while the rite for boys died out. The ritual was Christianized by missionaries and came to mark an important step in the faith journey of the young woman.

According to Martha Beatriz Garcia, coordinator of the Quinceañera Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, and Idalia Garcia, who is on the team, the quince años, while optional, is a pledge of faith at a crucial turning point in the life of the young girl. “At this age, the girls start to make their own decisions, some of them will leave home to go to college and they need to reinforce their commitment to stay close to God,” says Beatrice.

Prior to the celebration, the girl, her parents, godparents, and others attend formation sessions and retreats that focus on what the quince años is all about. “We really want them to understand that it’s not just to prepare a party,” says Idalia, “It really is about giving their lives to God, helping them to recognize that they need the Holy Spirit to continue their faith journey.”

Victoria Sanchez, who celebrated her quince años three years ago, said it’s easy to get caught up in the materialistic parts of the day while ignoring the religious aspects. “You grow up going to quinceañeras and you see the girls who are so pretty and everything is perfect and you think, ‘I want that.’ At first it was all about the party and the dress, but I remember walking into the church and hearing the music and that filled me with happiness. After communion, I looked at my mother and saw how she was praying. I knew she was praying that God would guide me because at 15 you enter high school. It’s a big turning point and a lot of things are thrown at you.”

Victoria’s mother, Maria Olivia Mejia, didn’t have the opportunity to celebrate her own quinceañera in her native Mexico, at least with the same extravagance that takes place in the United States. Neither did Beatrice nor Idalia, both of whom are also from Mexico. They say their parents simply couldn’t afford it, but they are excited to be able to offer that opportunity to their daughters. According to Beatrice, embracing the tradition helps her to stay connected to home. “We live in another country, but we have the same faith. It’s important to live here as we would live there.”

The quinceañera, while popular in Mexico, is also celebrated in other Latin countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. Each culture may incorporate its own traditions into the ceremonies.

Typically, the girl, wearing a lavish ball gown, arrives at the church with her parents, godparents, siblings, and court of honor, which includes female attendants called damas and male attendants called chambelanes. During the Mass, the teenager renews the promises made at her baptism. She is blessed and is presented with religious gifts such as a Bible, a crucifix, or a medal, which are also blessed. The quinceañera usually leaves a bouquet of flowers before the statue of the Blessed Mother. After Mass, all the guests gather for a reception that includes traditional foods and ceremonial dances.

As much as the day appears to be about the quinceañera, it is also a day that unites families and communities. Gabino Iniguez, whose daughter Stephanie recently celebrated her quinceañera, said the tradition helps parents to let go and to entrust their daughters to God’s care, “For me it means she is not my little girl anymore, there is a new woman in the world.”