Quinceanera

#1 Academic Journal

By:Susan Orlean

13 February 2017.

“Quinceanera”

The story Quinceanera is about a traditional ceremony that occurs when a female reaches the age of 15. it highlights The “Quinceanera”, is one of the most important Hispanic cultural tradition celebration that originated in Mexico. This is a Mexican style ceremony that takes place when a Hispanic girl turns 15 years of age. The main purpose for the quinceanera is to celebrate a young female passage into womanhood, to give thanks to God for his blessingson her commitment to Catholicism, and to present the young woman to the community.In former times, the girl’s fifteenth birthday would have signalled that she was an active, adult member of the community, fully ready to take on her share of responsibilities and indicated that she was of marriageable age and status. In the last decade, the number of Hispanics in Phoenix has grown by 65%. Early last summer the writer was invited to a large “Quiencenera” in Phoenix at which 16 girls were to be presented. The event was sponsored by the girls' parents and the Vesta Club, a social organization of Hispanic college graduates. It took place at the Immaculate Heart Church which serves as a central parish for the Hispanic community in Phoenix. Father Antonio Sotelo is vicar for Hispanic affairs and Immaculate Heart's pastor. Some girls, he said came to their "Quienceanera" Mass without the faintest idea of the religious significance which has become an issue to him. Therefore, Father Sotelo wrote a guidebook advising that the girls take classes to study the Bible and other things like going to church sponsored retreat with their parents so that they can fulfil the requirements for their special ceremony. The requirements for this traditional celebration had pose a negative effects on the quinceanera. Hence, the reason why one of the priest took exception to these guidelines thinking of them to be so strict for the people. He encouraged that anyone who wanted a "Quiencenera" could come to him. He was Father Frank Peacock, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, a church in a poor neighbourhood. Father Peacock’s motivation behind this, is that to bring low standard families together into the church.He went on further by saying that in life there are families that have experienced trauma such as child abuse, Sexual abuse, divorce and separation and in this  Quienceanera occasion it helps in bringing these people together to church, celebrate and experience a happy event. However, some of the people are not quite satisfied in this way of celebration and that they prefer how Father Sotelo does it. Hence, when the girls want to do their quinceanera ceremony, they have to take classes in Bible study and go on church sponsored retreat program with their parents in order to encourage religious significance and not just with the mere fact of having party to the extent especially those of the upper class families.