Quincinera

[rosebudsal]

Believe me, I’ve been to a jillion of them, with everything ranging from what the OP reported to what you stated. I’ve had to line up the attendants and their chamberlains and remind the whole group that this is not a style show. I’ve also had to keep the paparazzi at bay. I’ve seem many a Quince Anos celebration outdo even the most lavish of weddings.

Thankfully, for me, my Italian father was way too practical for that kind of stuff. My German/Hispanic mother was n full agreement.

I’ve never been to one. It was never a tradition in the part of New Mexico where I live. Though, I’m Hispanic on both sides, but no one here does it and none of the girls in my family has ever had one. Maybe that’s why I find them so fascinating. We have a lot of immigrants moving here from Mexico and Latin America so they are happening here. I drove by a church one Saturday and thought I was seeing a wedding as it went into Mass, but it was a Quincinera.

 

[rosebudsal]

Thank you. It’s just that in my neck of the woods (deep South Texas, albeit the whole state, really), it is mostly, if not 100%, Mexican in culture.

And, for further accuracy, the celebration is Quince Anos because the honoree is the Quincenera (we even have Quinceneros, since the boys started wanting some sort of celebration, too).

To the OP, the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio (MACC) will probably have some resources for you regarding your situation. As I said before, the consecration and blessing happen after the homily. The priest reminds the young lady of her baptismal promises, asks her to renew them, and then, she recites a prayer of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. After that, the priest (or deacon) will impart the blessing. Sandwiched in between, depending on the circumstances, are special blessings for the Bible and Rosary she will receive.

I hope this helps you. I certainly didn’t mean to sidetrack your original intent. It’s just that this might be an unknown celebration to those who might be reading this thread and wondering what we are taking about as far as 15th birthdays are concerned.

And sort of in response to a response I made earlier, that’s why even though I grew up in a Hispanic culture, our ties are more toward the traditions of Spain than of Mexico and that’s it was so uncommon where I grew up.

 

[benedictgal]

And sort of in response to a response I made earlier, that’s why even though I grew up in a Hispanic culture, our ties are more toward the traditions of Spain than of Mexico and that’s it was so uncommon where I grew up.

Just for the record, my dad, who is of Italian and Mexican ancestry, and my mother, who is of German and Mexican ancestry refused to have a Quince Anos celebration for me. My dad, practical man that he is, said that it was a waste of money. So, why I got, instead, was a 150-year old bed, which I still have today.

 

[rosebudsal]

Just for the record, my dad, who is of Italian and Mexican ancestry, and my mother, who is of German and Mexican ancestry refused to have a Quince Anos celebration for me. My dad, practical man that he is, said that it was a waste of money. So, why I got, instead, was a 150-year old bed, which I still have today.

There was one girl in my high school who had one and none of us knew what it was. I think she had just a party-- I don’t remember her having a Mass and maybe they didn’t have them then (as I saw in other posts). For all our “supposed” cultural awareness, we didn’t have a clue that a girl got a party when she turned 15. At 16, things were different.

Honestly, if I had the choice, I would have preferred the bed too. When I turned 16, I got the bed I still have today.

I would have rather had the bed too.

 

[bpbasilphx]

The custom among the Mexican Orthodox (yes, there are such) is that the quiceañera wearing a white dress comes to Communion on the Sunday after her 15th birthday, accompanied by her madrinas bearing lighted candles. There is a Thanksgiving Moleben (prayer service) with Te Deum afterwards, when her madrinas present her with a Bible, prayerbook, and Icon of the Theotokos.