Quinceanera

Quinceañera

The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you (Jer 1:4).

St. Vincent's cordially invites you, your family, and friends to partake in the revered tradition of the Quinceañera Mass in celebration of your daughter's fifteenth birthday. A Quinceañera is a profound expression of life and gratitude to God, marking the transition of a young woman on her fifteenth anniversary. While it is distinct from the sacraments, the Quinceañera holds great significance as it underscores the importance of adult faith and the role of the Blessed Virgin as a model for holiness – elements deeply ingrained in the Latino cultural legacy of our parishioners.

This occasion is more than a celebration; it is an acknowledgment of life's blessings and an invocation for your daughter to rise to her baptismal call to serve within our faith community. In participating in a Mass, we trust it will draw your daughter and your entire family nearer to God.

Basic Requirements

  • She must be Catholic.
  • She must have received Baptism and First Holy Communion. Parents have an obligation to enroll their children in a catechetical program to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, but Confirmation is not required for your daughter to schedule a Quinceañera.
  • She with her parents must attend a Quinceañera class. We encourage the godparents, if applicable to attend the class. St. Vincent’s Church provides a class every 3 months. We accept classes taken at another parish, but parents must provide proof of attendance at least 3 months before the celebration. If this class is not completed, the Quinceañera celebration will be canceled.
  • She, along with others involved in the Quinceañera, must go to confession before the celebration. The priest does not attend the rehearsal and so confessions must take place during our regularly scheduled confessions. Please consult the parish bulletin for confession times. 


To secure a date, please call the parish office at (213) 749-8950.

Quinceañera Policy

Origin of the Quinceañera Tradition

The Quinceañera, a prominent coming-of-age celebration in Mexico and Latin America has a rich tapestry of cultural influences that draws from indigenous, African, and colonial Spanish customs. Initially observed among the Aztecs, it incorporates elements from African initiation rites introduced during the slave trade. Now differing in scale, the festivity merges a Catholic mass with grand social gatherings and hints at French influence, possibly dating back to the French occupation of Mexico.

Share by: