Quinceañera: A Celebration of Life and a Young Woman's Path to Sainthood

By Yokasta Lara

In a world that seems to be turning more and more away from God, the celebration of the Quinceañera offers an opportunity to bring individuals and families together to give thanks to God for the gift of life, and ask for His blessings upon the young woman on her journey from childhood to maturity. This book is a spiritual preparation for girls celebrating their Quinceañera, which ensures that the young woman understands the basics of her Catholic Faith. Focus is put on the Sacraments, and the importance of living a holy life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365401732

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Disclaimer

Integrated throughout this book are sections from the best of instructors—the saints, the Popes, and the Catechism. These writings are valuable resources and should be in every Catholic home. We refer you to the original sources and excerpt material here in order to bring together these various resources in one place. Many of these materials are now in the public domain.

The Vatican office of Libreria Editrice Vaticana has granted permission for the reprinting of excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other Vatican documents including Encyclicals, Constitutions and Moto Proprio from the time of Leo XIII to the present, for use in this book. Those documents are © Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

The only materials in this book that belong exclusively to Catechism Class are the Introductions, Integrations, Activities, Comprehension Quizzes and some prayers, unless otherwise noted. The purpose of this manuscript is for personal and educational use and the glory of God.

Preface

The Quinceañera is the celebration of a girl’s passage from childhood into adulthood. On this special day, families and friends come together to give thanks to Almighty God for the quinceañera’s life. It is an opportunity for the young woman to renew her commitment to the Faith, and ask for our Lord’s blessing and our Blessed Mother’s guidance as she enters adulthood.

This book focuses on the religious aspect of the Quinceañera, and seeks to instruct the reader in the basics of the Catholic Faith before partaking in this ceremony. Special focus is put on the Sacraments and the importance of allowing our Catholic Faith to direct our lives.

Having a grace-filled Quinceañera, that gives honor to God, acknowledges the gift of life, and emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, is both ideal and possible. That is what this book is all about!

Lesson 1: Importance of Living a Holy Life

Healing the Man Born Blind, El Greco

With the fall of Adam and Eve, the human race inherited sin. The Sacrament of Baptism removes original sin, but the consequence, which is the inclination to evil, remains. That is why we sin, but our flawed human condition should not discourage us from striving for holiness. In fact, that is what each of us is called to do – live a holy life. In this lesson, we will explore the concept of holiness and the importance of living a holy life.

Opening Prayer

The Sermon on the Mount, Bloch

Holiness requires that we unite ourselves, completely, to God. This unity is achieved, primarily, through prayer. Let us now meditate upon the words that our Lord Himself, gave us as model of prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer (Oratio Dominica)

In English:

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

In Latin:

Pater Noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

Scripture

Presentation in the Temple, Lodovico Carracci

Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes, and observe them; I am the LORD; I sanctify you. (Leviticus 20:7-8)

You shall be holy to me; for I the Lord am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples to be mine. (Leviticus 20:26)  

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. (Ephesians 1:3-4)

Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Catechism References

Madonna and Child with Saint Philip Neri, Gianbattista Tiepolo

236. Were Adam and Eve innocent and holy when they came from the hand of God? Adam and Eve were innocent and holy when they came from the hand of God.

237. What do we mean by saying Adam and Eve were innocent when they came from the hand of God? When we say Adam and Eve were innocent when they came from the hand of God we mean they were in the state of original justice; that is, they were gifted with every virtue and free from every sin.

248. Which were the chief blessings intended for Adam and Eve had they