Quinceañera Preparation for the Celebration

The following is an outline for a four session preparation for the Quinceañera: 

First Session 

Participants:  parents and young woman

Purpose: to allow pastor, team or staff person to become acquainted with the family and to assess their understanding of the faith and the purpose of the Quince Años celebration. 

Process:   

• have family tell story of the family and of their faith formation 

• speak of importance of family in the formation of the faith of the young 

• introduce parish as extension of family, as a community of faith 

• allow family to present their reasons for wanting the celebration and some of their expectations 

• provide printed material on the quinceañera (suggestions in appendix) for reading in preparation for the next session 

Second Session 

Participants:parents, young woman 

Purpose:   to further explore the meaning of the quinceañera through discussion of the materials 

Process: 

• ask parents and youth to talk about what they learned from the materials on the Quince Años celebration 

• provide supplemental or corrective information where opportune or necessary 

• speak specifically to the young woman about what her Quince Años celebration means to her; how her life will be different 

• engage the family and the young woman in a discussion of human dignity, the book “Pure Womanhood” by Crystalina Evert and moral decision making

• provide various scripture readings that could be used at the Mass or Liturgy of the Word (if a Mass the readings can be from the Mass of the Day or from Masses for Special Need or Occasion:  “In Thanksgiving”) in preparation for the next session 

Third Session 

Participants:parents and young woman 

Purpose: to explore appropriate readings and music for the celebration and to familiarize the quinceañera with the dedication/blessing prayer and its intent 

Process:   

• invite participants to talk about which of the readings were meaningful to them and why 

• have quinceañera speak of any challenges the scriptures presented for her in her life 

• review the Baptismal promises that were made for or by the young and discuss their meaning 

• give the participants a copy of the “act of thanksgiving and personal commitment” that the quinceañera will pray at the celebration and talk about its meaning 

Fourth Session 

Participants: parents and young woman, Compañeros de Fe (if possible), and Parish Coordinator 

Purpose: to take the opportunity to go through the Eucharistic liturgy to gain further understanding of the sacrament as well as to choose the readings, prayers of the faithful and the appropriate ministers (e.g. lectors) 

Process: 

• provide an outline of the Eucharistic liturgy and invite the participants to talk about what various parts of the liturgy mean to them 

• give the liturgy preparation sheet to the participants and invite them to choose the readings (first, psalm, gospel) and to personalize the prayers of the faithful 

• set particulars for rehearsal (date, time, place) 

Optional: 

It may be both advantageous and appropriate to provide a penance service for the family, the 

Compañeros de Fe and others involved in the celebration, especially if the celebration is within a 

Mass. This provides an opportunity for catechesis about the sacrament as well as participation in the sacrament for the special occasion. Please see our bulletin for times and locations.

An evening of reflection or a retreat might be planned especially if the Quince Años preparation is being done with several families or several parishes.  The content of sessions three and four might be done in the retreat format.