Why many quinceaneras are staying true to the tradition of the Mass
With roots as far back as the Aztecs, the religious ceremony for the quinceañera is a long-standing tradition. In pre-Colombian times, a temple celebration with food and dance would prepare young ladies for their role in life.
| Even as more quinceañeras are choosing to skip the church, many are staying true to the tradition of the Mass. And non-Catholic quinceañeras are making the spiritual side of their quince important, too. Their number one reason is to give thanks. “Of course the mom or the grandmother says you have to have the Mass because it’s important. But some girls really see this as a way to say thanks to God for the gift of life,” said Esperanza Monterrubio, associate director of Continuing Christian Education with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston As Iliana Galeana, a recent quinceañera, put it: “I wanted to give thanks to God for my life and just appreciate what he has given me and his blessings.” For Aiza GarcÃa, her quinceaños wouldn’t be the same without the Mass. “If I had to pick, I would prefer to have the Mass than the dance because it’s more important to have the Mass than dance with friends. The Lord comes first,” said GarcÃa. She explained that with the Mass she could share her quinceaños with all of her family, and with other quinceañeras, too. Like Aiza’s parish, many churches only have a group Mass for quinceañeras because of restraints of time and resources. Some quinceañeras search for a church that allows a private Mass. But for others, the group Mass has an additional benefit because it is another way for the whole community to come together. Monterrubio explained that the Mass is also a way for the quinceañera to commit herself to her faith and ask for guidance as she enters a new stage in life. Non-Catholic quinceañeras also include a religious celebration. For example, their pastor may give a blessing or they light a unity candle with their parents. Many churches have certain guidelines for quinceañeras. For example, Aiza and Iliana, who celebrated a quinceaños Mass with two other girls, went to three classes at their church and had a church practice with their parents, padrinos and court. Other churches require scheduling a year in advance, mother-daughter retreats, community service and/or enrollment in religious education classes. Laura Isensee is Houston-based reporter. Her work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle’s This Week, the award-winning Spanish daily RUMBO and Quincegirl.com. Ms. Isensee is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she studied Spanish and wrote for The Daily Texan. |
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Comments (13)
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written by .: lAUGhTER ANd R0MPE C0RAZONES ( jANUARY.fiVE.OhNiNE *] :., January 06, 2009
written by :P, December 17, 2008
>:} GIRL RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
written by :P, December 17, 2008
well what can I say ,your right having a quince
it'a not about la fiesta it's about que dios te de la vendicion.
y la fiesta dejalo para despues!!!!!
it'a not about la fiesta it's about que dios te de la vendicion.
y la fiesta dejalo para despues!!!!!
written by lamichicana, December 04, 2008
El baile no es el todo, es sentir que la comunidad te apoya en tu dia, y mas se tiene eso en tu iglesia. Si vas a tener baile, haz algo espectacular, por ejemplo, un bellydance, o que se yo...
written by lamichicana, December 04, 2008
Cuando yo cumpli mis quince anos, era la ceremonia en la iglesia. Nosotros somos cristianos y no se permitio tener el baile. Decidi no terner una quincenera pero espero ver mis sobrinitas tener sus fiestas.
written by Tatiana, November 03, 2008
wat should i do im non religious as they say but i want to do it right. please e-mail me if you can help
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written by la chikis de mazatlan, October 01, 2008
god is the one that can guide you trough a life with blessins
written by Adriana Garcia, June 16, 2008
definitely having a mass. even if my mom didn't require it, i would ask for one anyway. God comes first.
written by angel., April 13, 2008
DIOS ES INTERSANTE
written by jon, April 07, 2008
trghfhgfhgfhgfhg
written by jon, April 07, 2008
esqiar dfjk jfksdfsdfdsfdfd
written by BIBIANNA, January 24, 2008
VIVA LA RAZA HOMITA. ES LA VERDAD. 
written by Ashley, December 27, 2007
Es la Verdad! Dios es Primero!
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AS lONG AS i hAd MY bENdiCiON dE diOS i WAS hAPPY
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fOR MY bAYbEE : iF YUh REAd thiS
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i WANNA tELL YUh thAt i lOVE YUh WiTh All MY lITTlE hEART ?
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liKE YUh.. YUh ChANGEd MY WORLd COMPlETElY
tE AMO bAYbEE... ( jANUARY. fiVE . Oh NiNE fOREVERRRR.. *]