Cotillion

- What is the Celebration of a Quince Años/Cotillion?
  
  A Quinceañera or Cotillion is the transition of an adolescent into womanhood. It is celebrated in different ways and at different ages around the world. In Mexico, it has a very special meaning and is celebrated when girls turn 15. It does not exactly mean that the young women are ready for marriage, as some people outside the tradition believe. Rather, girls may present themselves as adults at appropriate social events.
  
  The celebration of a Cotillion is a highly Catholic tradition. It is assumed that the Spanish conquerors brought the tradition to Mexico. The celebration as it is now an adaptation of the Christian Ceremony of the Aztec Woman. Even before the conquest. The Aztecs celebrated the girls who reached maturity. At this ceremony, in addition to the banquet and religious presentation, the mothers gave their daughters advice, encouraging them to behave well.
  The Quinceañera may or may not include a reception for her cotillion, but what is truly important is the Thanksgiving Mass. It is a family celebration in the presence of God. It is an act of faith and prayer in favor of a young woman’s life.
- Formation of a Christian Woman
  
  The Priest who will be working with you is your Pastor, and we ask you to accept it as such. His task is to prepare the young woman so that this celebration is truly a meeting between her and Jesus Christ. The Priest is a spiritual director who, under the secret of Confession, guides the soul of the young woman in the ways of the Lord.
  To ensure that the young woman, as well as the family have a spirit and attitude of appreciation at the time of the Eucharistic Celebration, the following is required from the young woman:
  
  Attend and participate in Holy Mass weekly
  Participate frequently in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).
  Has received the Sacrament of Confirmation or is in preparation to receive the Sacrament.
- Requirements to Celebrate the Cotillion
  
  Like every Ecclesial celebration, it should be celebrated with full, active, and conscious participation of all during the Mass. In order to prepare for the celebration of a Cotillion (Quince Anos) Mass, it is important to fulfill the following parish requirements:
  We ask for the following:
  The young woman must have reached her 15th or 16th birthday.
  Copy of Baptismal Certificate
  Copy of Confirmation Certificate (If the young woman has not received the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is required that she be currently enrolled in a parish catechetical program in preparation for her receiving the Sacrament.)
  Certificate of First Holy Communion (Please Note: We can NOT celebrate a Mass if the young woman has not made her First Holy Communion)
  The date should be booked at least three to four months in advance of the desired date.
  The Shrine requires an offering of $500.00 for the celebration to be held at the Marian Chapel and a $600.00 offering for the St. Joseph Chapel. This is to be paid in full at the time of booking the date.
  Take a formation class (This class will be given depending on the date of the celebration)
  
  It is important to stress the need to meet these requirements prior to the celebration.
  For more information on how to arrange for this beautiful tradition for your family, please contact our Office Manager, Ms. Cenia Jaimes, at [email protected] or just call us at 847-294-180