It was in the throes of the COVID restrictions that four adolescents from the mission celebrated their communal quinceañera, that is, their fifteenth birthday event. This is a long-standing tradition in the Latin American culture, akin to a debutante introduction of a young girl to society. The tradition in Mexico and other countries in Central and South America have a long history of being tied into the Church and the family’s faith. Yet, there are many accretions and very damaging customs which have taken hold of the general presentation. Think of Halloween, originally a Catholic custom to replace pagan death rituals and ancestor worship with the Vigil of All Saints. Now think of any film or contemporary expression of Halloween and consider the corruption of the original intent. By analogy, the custom of the quinceañera has suffered distortions and accretions that can be just as ugly.
 

Our four quinceañeras (left to right) Monica, Gaby, Ariana, ARiadna. 

Three of the quinceañeras are flanked by two Single Women who served as "older sisters" (Yohali, left and Melissa, right) during the preparation which lasted well over twelve months. In addition to helping with organization, they grew in friendship and in establishing the younger women with other friends.

Two years ago four of our young gals had already been planning, before COVID hit, a group festivity in order to refocus the event. No longer a mini-wedding nor a display of a father’s over-indulgence (financially or otherwise), all were aware that with the Sacrament of Baptism each person receives a vocation; when a young woman turns fifteen she can take more responsibility to listen for the Lord’s calling and prepare to respond to Him. Her family and the community should support her in that endeavor.

Sr. Mary spearheaded the vision for a communal celebration and rite of passage.

A limit of invited guests for each of the four quinceañeras was imposed because of COVID precautions. Together they decided to invite the girls, along with their respective parents, from the next number of adolescents who would turn fifteen. Our four had already deepened in their friendships and come to an appreciation of the priority of seeking their vocation, so they wanted to expose the three who followed in age and eventually invite them to share in the experience. Those three younger candidates were all thirteen at the time.

So now our four gals are considered Single Women, no longer "adolescents". Ariadna, Gaby and Ariana are serving as “older sisters” for those who are going to celebrate their quinceañera this year. They are taking charge of several overnight retreats which will serve to prepare the new candidates.