The quinceañera is a traditional celebration of life and gratitude to God on the occasion of the fifteenth birthday of a young woman. The ritual emphasizes her passage from childhood to adulthood. Because the family usually requests the blessing of the Church in recognition of this event, preparation for this blessing is usually aligned with the young girl's preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
To this end, the local clergy discourages Catholic families from organizing quinceañeras which do not involve the family's active participation in the faith and life of their local Catholic church.
The tribes of Meso-America, possibly the Mayas and Toltecs, celebrated elaborate rites of passage for their young men and women. Rites of passage are known to have existed in the Iberian Peninsula as well. The Spanish conquistadores may have brought the practice to Meso-America. It is possible that the missionaries would have approved of this practice since these rites closely paralleled Christian practices of initiation and marriage.
Quinceañeras are normally celebrated outside of Mass by a deacon with faculties to preach in the Diocese of San Diego. At present, St. Margaret's does not have a deacon assigned. Young women who are attending Sunday Masses and have completed Confirmation through our religious education program are welcome to make their profession at the Friday 6pm Mass in a simple manner without any procession either before or after Mass and without escort. In keeping with this simple manner, the hall is not available for quinceañeras.
Please verify your prerequisites with the parish office. After establishing your bona fides the office will schedule an interview of the Quinceañera with the pastor.