The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced this month that it will publish a ritual blessing for the quinceañera, but some Mission District residents said the coming-of-age celebration for Latinas on their 15th birthday is more about the party than the church.
“I guess it should be about the religious aspect, but it isn’t,” said Patty Alvarez, who works at Dore Studio on
Mission St., where she estimated that 60 percent of the customers come for quinceañera portraits. “It’s about the dress. It’s about the makeup. It’s about the hair, and the jewelry, and the pictures, and just the party.”
But it hasn’t always been this way.
The tradition was born in ancient Aztec culture, but when Spanish settlers arrived in the territory that comprises present-day Mexico, they adopted the celebration as a Catholic ritual. As explorers and missionaries spread Catholicism throughout Latin America, they also spread the quinceañera. The mass service became a traditional part of the celebration, and for many, it remains significant, church representatives and Mission District residents said.
“It is the most important thing,” said Gloria Martinez, who celebrated her own quinceañera as a girl in Mexico and threw one for her daughter three years ago in San Francisco. Martinez said that while her daughter’s event was far more extravagant than her own, they shared an emphasis on the role of the church.
The bilingual ritual book, which was published on Sept. 19, lists standard customs for the religious aspect of the event. While the book emphasizes that practices may vary, it outlines a liturgy by which the girl may commit herself to living a Christian life, with the priest and the congregation confirming her commitment. About one-third of U.S. Catholics are Latino, and their numbers are increasing. The book’s publication is an attempt to officially recognize a specifically Latino Catholic tradition, church representatives said in a press release.
But one look at the numerous Web sites dedicated to the parties or a flip through the pages of Bay Area Quinceañera magazine shows a different side of the celebration. There, advertisements for caterers, photographers, disc jockeys and limousines sit next to Spanish-language tips on how to prepare for the ceremonial first dance and what to wear to “shine like a princess.”
This was the part of the party that enraptured Alejandra Lluberas when she turned 15 two years ago.
“I just wanted it to be the best party,” said Lluberas, who had a small mass with her family before the main festivities. “I wanted everyone to have fun.”
But quinceañeras regularly begin with a Catholic mass, said Father Ulysses D’Aquila, who has performed many as the priest of Mission Dolores Basilica.
“It looks like a mini wedding,” said D’Aquila, who left Mission Dolores two months ago and is now at St. Kevin’s Church in Bernal Heights. “It’s this incredibly expensive coming-out party, but we do think the mass should be an important part of it.”
While at Mission Dolores, D’Aquila imposed restrictions on who the church would allow to celebrate the quinceañera, mandating that the girls have already been baptized and received their First Holy Communion. The policy, which has remained in place since D’Aquila’s departure, also requires proof of mandatory mass attendance.
“You have the girl kneeling in front of the altar, being blessed during the mass, but if she doesn’t really go to church, then what’s the significance of it?” D’Aquila said. “If the girl doesn’t really know what’s going on, then it’s just a party. And if it’s just a party, then who cares?”
D’Aquila said he knows some priests who prohibit their churches from being used for quinceañeras, but others have no restrictions on who may use their church for the celebration. He said that despite his concerns, the tradition has an important place among Catholic rituals.
Alvarez said that in her native Nicaragua, the celebrations are often more religiously-centered, sometimes because families simply don’t have enough money to throw an elaborate party. But she doesn’t think that the official ritual blessing will subdue the festivities. “Latinos are always looking for any excuse to party,” she said.
Oh one more question? Where can I find out more information about this celebration deriving from the Aztec?
I love how people say it is this or that forming quite an opinion but that is it! An opinion! How can a Doré Studios boldly claim it is NOT about the church!? For them it’s all about the money, what do they care?
A Quinceañera is whatever the family wants it to be. If the family is not faith formed then it’s a coming out party, and no church involvement, however, if the family is living their Catholic Faith then it is centralized around the mass. Yes there’s a party afterwards a celebration.
I also agree wholeheartedly with Father Ulysses D’Aquila that the girls be baptized and have completed communion as all masses include the rite of Eucharist. This is the teachings, according to scripture of the church.
Unfortunately, some of theses celebrations can go into the thousands of dollars, I myself had a client whose Quinceañera went in to the $30,000 range Ans although it was extravagant and beautiful, I myself would have asked for a trip to Europe. It’s not teaching the girls of what’s important. How many homeless can be sheltered and fed with $30K. Just a thought.
Hello everyone, first of all let’s start with the religious aspect… A Quinceñera is NOT a sacrament, therefore, you do not have to have a mass in order to have a party. It is not equally important as when you do your first communion or confirmation. Churches allow Quinceñera masses to take place because it brings in tremendous revenue and who would say no to that right? Its a tradition that began in society to introduce your young lady into the community as a sign of her being ready to wed the next best bachelor but as times changed it became more about the party and just a milestone being reached. A priest or a pastor can even just come to your party and give you a blessing there, if he’s willing of course…. just like when you buy a house or a new car and a priest comes to give it a blessing. However, some religious people often have masses to commemorate special occasions such as birthdays or memorials. It is ignorant to say that only poor people have them because teenagers don’t care if the parents can afford a Quinceñera or not, they either desire one or they don’t . A car or trip can be given to a rich kid anytime not just in lieu of a party so that’s just a ridiculous assumption or excuse to not have a Quinceñera. So if you’re having a Quinceñera, enjoy it, treasure the memories and be grateful to your parents and if you’re not, no big deal if it’s not your cup of tea let others be!
It’s very sad anyone would make offensive remarks such as poor Mexicans! It’s not only celebrated by Mexicans, all Latin America celebrates this. Teen mom is absolutely right in that this is not a holy sacrament. However, for faith practicing families it is a beautiful way to present their daughters to the community and allowing her to address the congregation and community with her vows Ans Christian charity. Think of it as a bat mitzvah.
Either way, religious or not it’s a beautiful time in a young ladies life except I feel there should be some preparation other than party planning on the year before her day! (Volunteering, church services, helping the poor or needy).
for all of you who wrote that quinceaneras are only for poor mexicans… get some less ghetto friends, and maybe you’ll get invited to a more sofisticated quinceanera. i still don’t see whats wrong with a poor family wanting to give their daughter what other girls get on their fifteenth birthday. i think if you organize it correctly and you do it out of your heart, that is one of the best quinceaneras out there.and as for the religious aspect,during this day and age, most girls don’t even go to the church anymore. alot of girls aren’t even part of the catholic religion, and they still have a quince.things have really changed since you old people were young. i do think that remembering your religion is important during your quince, but to alot of girls, its not so important any more.
i would like to give all of you that replied a real lesson on what a real fifteen year old thinks about a quinceanera. yes, i am really excited about my party, and yes, i am excited about hanging out with my friends on the big day. but sticking to the topic: i do realize the reason for my party is to realize i am growing up, and i need to learn to make more mature decisions in my life. having my family there to support me going through this time in life is the most important thing. in fact, the only reason i’m having this big party is because i know it’s important to my family, and it’s important that i stay close to my mexican heritage. quinceanereas are NOT only for poor mexicans, whoever wrote that comment, and whoever agrees doesn’t know anything about mexican heritage and customs, so they shouldn’t be talking. You probably haven’t been to very nice quincaneras, or you wouldn’t have commented!
I aggre with Joe about the 15 yr and wedding. I now a lot of girls that just go threw the motion of the mass just to have the party. Yes the party is nice, but young ladys have forgotten that in order for you to have your quince anos you must be pure, because at your mass you are pleging that you are going to save your self for marriage. Not for some stuped boy how will forget your name next week.I would ask you to read about your history and custom of Mexico before you start to say something about them.
well for me i hate the fact that some do a big quinceanera and they be thinking all that but….um anyways the most thing i like about 15 is the dancing part because the most fun thing of the it you get to have fun …..oh and dont forget the food that is really good well i gues tha is all i have in mind write back if yah can !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Duzez >>> =)
Mariana you almost prove her point with the ghetto reply. It is not a poor persons celebration but many of the poor make more of it because next to the wedding it is the biggest party for the daughter of the family. My only complaint with it is the lack of religion in the party. If the child is not active in the church then why insist on the ceremony. Through a party and wish the girl learned how to be an adult. Having the church involve itself with this is almost re-writing the traditions of the church for one culture. Irish Catholics still celebrate St. Patricks day in Ireland with church and prayer. If the families did the same when their daughter turned 15 maybe Marriage would become more of a sacrament then a party in Vegas because we want it.
All you dumb asses talking about each other’s comments are stupid! First of all if a family wants to throw a lavish quinceañera for their daughter, what’s it to any of you!? People with or without the extra money celebrate this tradition! Money has nothing to do with this! So get your heads out of your asses! Lol people these days are so judgmental! Let people be!
lemme tell u something karla: quinceneras r not for poor mexicans and u have no right to be sayn stuff like that. they are a treasured mexican tradition & even mexicans with money have quinceneras. either u went to some horrible quinceneras or u have major issues with mexican traditions. not all upper or middle class people go study english in canada. just cuz u’ve seen some chicano quinces doesn’t mean every 15 year old mexican is cacky.
Quinceaneras are for poor people who had more money than before. This is a tradition of lower class in Mexico. Middle and upper class girls get a trip or a car or study English in Canada. But they have their relogious ceremony among family and they spend wisely their money. I have seen chicano quinces and they are very cacky.