15 years: Bishop presides at Quinceanera

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
July 24, 2008

Unlike the American culture's Sweet Sixteen party that is secular in nature, the Hispanic Quinceanera - which means 15 years - is steeped in religious tradition.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless celebrated the Quinceanera Mass on July 19 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. The three 15-year-olds that participated in the liturgy were Carolina Coronado, Martha Iniguez and Carla Martinez. Father Matthew Hewitt, director of Hispanic ministry at the Cathedral, concelebrated.

As the homily commenced, the bishop extended congratulations to the three young ladies and their parents.

"Physically, they are no longer babies. They have grown. Spiritually, they have grown through the grace of their baptism," Bishop Nickless said. "Today, each of you will renew your promise to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by your words and actions throughout the rest of your life."

The bishop said they gathered, first and foremost, to thank God for the gift of his son Jesus.

"And we recommit ourselves as disciples, followers, and ask for strength to be renewed in our faith and strengthened in our desire to grow in holiness, to become saints," he said.

The bishop reminded the faithful that the "world is full of temptation and sin - all around us. We need God's grace and blessing to be able to resist the temptations of the devil, to remain what we were created to be - images of God, faithful, committed, chaste, loyal, trustworthy."

Recommit to Jesus

Bishop Nickless told the three young women that they would receive a blessing and would recommit their "yes" to Jesus. He reminded them that Mary had said yes to God when she had agreed to be the mother of God despite being young and afraid.

"Say yes to God and all that he wants," said the bishop. "God wants each of you to be become a saint and be a holy. We pray for you today."

He asked them to reflect on the gifts from God and reminded them that whatever God wanted in their lives would make them happy.

The bishop then turned the homily to the readings and said they informed the people how to act as Christians. In the second reading, Bishop Nickless said St. Paul stressed the importance of love in people's lives.

The Gospel of St. Matthew centered on the people's willingness to put Jesus to death and Christ lovingly followed God's will.

Through the readings, Bishop Nickless said, God tells the people, "'I have chosen you. You are my beloved. I give you my life.' And that means that you, in a special way, are absolutely loved by God."

Dressed in beautiful gowns, the three young women renewed their baptismal vows after the homily. They make their promise before God and the people - to follow the commandments and take seriously God's gifts as well as commit to being models of virtue.

They were then adorned with gifts such as crowns and necklaces during Mass. They received a special blessing from the bishop and after Communion the three brought flowers that were laid before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The celebration "was awesome," described Iniguez, who said it was important to take part in this important tradition that marked her "becoming a lady."

Coronado said it was important to be part of this religious tradition "because God sent me this gift (of womanhood.)" It reaffirmed the role that religion plays in her life.

For Martinez, because her faith is so important to her, she said it meant a great deal to her that she had the opportunity to participate in this celebration.

Group celebration

In an interview held before the liturgy Father Hewitt explained that two group Quinceanera celebrations are held each year at the Cathedral. The bishop presided at the most recent celebration and Father Hewitt will lead the celebration in October when four more young women will participate. This is the second year for the bishop to preside at the celebration.

"It used to be celebrated individually here at the Cathedral," said Father Hewitt, and in other parishes with Hispanic population that is often how it is held. "The preference would be that they would be celebrated individually, but like the sacraments (first Communions and confirmations), it depends on the numbers, needs and the availability of priests." The Cathedral no longer has the ability to offer individual celebrations.

The priest said the Cathedral was motivated to try the larger-scale, group celebration after the Diocese of Des Moines had success with it.

He pointed out that young men can participate in these celebrations as well as the young women. Next year there is already one young man signed up to participate.

"It started with young men coming to the age where they can enter the saddle to join the army," said Father Hewitt. "It was more popular among the men."

The celebrations early roots date back to Aztec and Mayan traditions in Latin America.

While it is a rite of passage of sorts from childhood into young adulthood, the priest said it was a time of celebration where they are more aware of the gifts that they have been given from God and their parents.

"That primary gift is the faith that was passed on from their parents and godparents," he said. "They are thankful for the gift of life and for the girls, the gift of womanhood."

With that in mind, during the ceremony they ask for continued blessings from God and special intercessions from Mary, the virgin of Guadalupe.

Along with the religious focus of the celebration, family and friends are central as the young women rely on the support of their parents, godparents and friends to keep the commitments. When the three entered the church and when they left as the ceremony closed, they were accompanied by an escort and court.

"It is a worthwhile celebration that enriches the faith," said Father Hewitt, who noted that they who celebrate their Quinceanera must be active Catholics. "It shows that they need to continue to rely on the help of God through the intercession of Mary."