Four of our young ladies are making waves in the movement of "Seguidores de la Cruz". Adrianna, Sarah Abigail, Ariadna and Monica celebrated their Quinceañera pageants together; an almost unheard of feat. In Spanish, the translation of fifteen ( quince) and years ( años) forms the contraction which indicates the title of the celebration. The word pageant is an apt description of how this rite-of-passage custom generally has come to be celebrated nowadays. Yet our four gals toned down the pageantry to call attention to a much different focus- i.e., the personal vocation. They worked and planned with their parents and with Sr. Mary for several months and everyone was quite taken with the outcome.


Left to right: Monica, Adrianna, Sr. Mary, Gabriela, Ariadna on the big day.

Usually a young lady– and especially her father... and to an extent her mother– don't relish the idea of her sharing the spotlight with anyone else for this event. The Quinceañera celebration has a very long tradition in Latin America, and the expression can vary from simple to outlandishly elegant, a spectrum often determined by the father's financial resources. The celebration generally begins in the parish with a Mass or a simpler ritual, and is then followed by a reception in the house or in a rented hall.
Our four adolescents, who were looking forward to turning fifteen, began talking with one another about teaming up on their upcoming celebrations even before the COVID 19 began restricting social functions.


Preparations for the Mass.

We hope to elaborate in an article in our newsletter, La Semilla, on the details of their vision and the final expression of the unique  Quinceañera celebration of these four culture infuencers. For now, suffice it to say, that many younger adolescent girls were quite interested– all eyes and ears– and impressed by their celebration. And a good many parents were taking notes as well. We will see how their innovations influence what Saint John Paul II called a culture of life and love in the future.