Shakers, sticks and tambourine blended with guitar at St. Mary
Parish. Three 15-year old girls
– las quinces – mingled with family and friends Nov. 6 for an
age-old fiesta, the quinceañera or sweet 15 celebration.
The quincea
ñera marks a girl’s transition to womanhood and is celebrated
throughout Latin American countries and the United States.
Shakers, sticks and tambourine blended with guitar at St. Mary Parish. Three 15-year old girls – las quinces – mingled with family and friends Nov. 6 for an age-old fiesta, the quinceañera or sweet 15 celebration.
The quinceañera marks a girl’s transition to womanhood and is celebrated throughout Latin American countries and the United States.
“The presentation of our daughters to God,” said the Rev. Francisco Miramonte, parochial vicar at St. Mary, “reflects our belief in the presentation of Jesus by his parents to the temple when he was of age. The Hispanic community wants to give thanks for life and family. It is our tradition.”
Maria Elena Perez, daughter of Emilia Rosales and J. Rodolfo Perez of Gilroy, wore a white, full-skirted gown. Like a queen, she had a silver tiara and a feathered shawl.
Shyly, she posed for photos with her court of honor, made up of 12 of her closest relatives and friends.
Jacklyn Gonzalez, 14, of Gilroy was the leader, the dama or maid of honor. She looked as if she had stepped from a fashion magazine.
Her pink gown matched the six girls or damas in her court. Six boys or chambelanes in black suits gathered. Hector Gonzalez, 16, of Gilroy was Maria’s honor escort, called the chambelan de honor.
He was distinct in a white dinner jacket and led the male court. He was her date for the evening, helping to signify her entrance into womanhood. A flower girl made the party 15 – one for each year of Maria’s birth.
Maria celebrated her 15th birthday with the tradition. But more than just a birthday celebration, it was the day she would be recognized as a grown woman.
Two other girls celebrated their quinceañeras, which included a Roman Catholic Mass. Cinthia Diaz, daughter of Patricia Calvo and Manual A. Diaz Lopez of Gilroy, and Abigail Patino, daughter of Ana Maria and Victor Patino of San Jose each had birthdays that fell near Nov. 6.
An arch of flowers topped by a pink balloon spanned the church aisle. People with vases hurried to place them before the ceremony.
Abigail wore a gold tiara to match her yellow, strapless gown. Cinthia wore a simple pink sheath.
With five photographers hired by the families, the numerous friends and relatives and the flowery church setting, the celebration was almost like a wedding.
“Yes, I am happy,” Cinthia answered when asked how she felt.
Maria and Abigail walked quietly, regally down the aisle to their seats at the altar in front of the Rev. John Coleman, associate pastor. “Hola,” he said. “Happy birthday!”
The homily addressed the significance of transitioning from girlhood to womanhood, and a prayer dedicated each quinceañera to the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Parents and relatives stepped forward to present gifts. To Abigail, a bouquet of yellow roses; to Maria, a prayer book, Bible and rosary; to Cinthia, two red roses. The flowers, traditionally 15, were presented after Mass to the Virgin, according to custom.
Maria and Abigail each received a fancy kneeling pillow as the Mass progressed. Maria held a small bouquet. Some of her nearby family wore maroon gowns, and a brother-in-law a matching maroon shirt. Everyone gathered afterward for more photos for the family photo album.
Parties followed the Mass, mostly at home, and lasted for hours.
Maria’s brother-in-law Alberto Cirrillo said the planning of the celebration took years.
“It is her coming out party. She may have boyfriends after this,” he said.
The quinceañera has a long history.
“Hispanics have had such ceremonies since the tribal days of the Indians of Mexico. When the Spanish came to colonize, they gave it a Christian face,” Miramonte said. A native of Mexico, Miramonte teaches quinceañera classes with Erica Leon, who also leads the choir.
“Our quinceañera is an opportunity to show young ladies a Christian life and to counsel them not to follow the call of the world, of materialism, drugs, sexuality, questionable values, which they now enter,” Miramonte said.
While some churches refuse to perform quinceañeras, they are a good idea because they provide an opportunity to connect with young people.
“It is not easy to work with youth,” Miramonte said.
Planning must begin six months ahead at St. Mary, and families must attend a class. The cost of the church and choir is $250, said Leon, but families in need may have the fee waived or reduced.
The cost of the celebration, which can reach $5,000 to $6,000 without sponsors, said Leon, is traditionally divided up by friends and immediate and extended family, called padrinos.
“If the party is at home, then the cost may be $2000 to $3,000. The dresses can be more than $500 apiece,” Leon said. Depending on means, a mariachi band may sometimes entertain. Community members may donate services. Padrinos help ward off debt.
“But it is our Hispanic tradition,” Miramonte said. “It is not an Anglo tradition. It is important for our daughters to have an opportunity, a gift from God. We emphasize the religious aspect and not the party at St. Mary.”
The honorees may receive a ring or medal as a sign to be faithful, said Miramonte. Other gifts vary with each family.
“In Mexico, it is very simple,” said Miramonte, “but in America, it is more elaborate.” Quinceañeras take place the first Saturday of each month in a group at St. Mary. “Our families come mostly from Vera Cruz, Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacan and Zacatecas in Mexico,” Miramonte said.
Leon is from Vera Cruz. She also celebrated her 15th birthday with a quinceañera and sees it as an important part of preserving culture.
“We were poor, but my father and brothers took money from here and there to give me a celebration. We are losing our traditions. The Indians are gone, eliminated by the Spanish. We have mestizo youngsters, half Indian, half Spanish. We are trying to bring the quinceañera back. The cost doesn’t seem too much to our parishioners,” Leon said.
At the party, custom has la quince exchange flats for adult shoes, and receive her last doll and piñata, the things of childhood. She will dance her first waltz with her father, then brothers, family, and finally – to make the transition complete, the chambelan and single men of her court. Homemade carnitas, or pork, might be served with rice and beans, a festive birthday cake, and recuerdos, or party favors, for guests.
“It is still a strong custom,” said Leon, “and, oh my goodness, at the party they spend hours. It’s a great day.”
The quinceañera is a major event not just for the girls, but for families as well.
“It is a time for families to come together,” said Rev. Eugene O’Donnell, pastor of St. Catherine’s Church in Morgan Hill.
Noeli Casandra Montano of Hollister, daughter of Lorena and Marco Antonio Montano, will celebrate her quinceañera Nov. 27 at Sacred Heart Church with a party for about 300 guests to follow at the VFW Hall.
“It’s a tradition, and all my sisters had one,” she said.
