Beyond the celebration: Quinceañera formation nurtures faith and belonging

Agape Catholic Ministries offers an online course called Quince Prep Leader Training to provide faith formation for young Hispanic women preparing for their quinceañeras. Carmen Chávez-López, a Hispanic instructor coordinator for the Colorado-based organization, said the program addresses a desire among these young women for a church community that accepts their identity.

The program began in 2011 after a priest in California, who used the organization's marriage preparation services, noticed more parents requesting quinceañera Masses for their daughters. He sought to offer families spiritual preparation that went beyond the traditional festivities and customs of the celebration.