Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the text is that it allows for the ceremony to be performed outside the church by an unordained minister called a deacon. This version begins with a reading from Scriptures -- any passage can be used, but the text suggests the Book of Jeremiah, in which God asks Mary to carry his child.
It reads: "The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. 'Ah, Lord God!' I said, 'I know not how to speak; I am too young.' "
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 2 inches; 87 words Type of Material: Correction
Quinceaneras: An article in Monday's Section A about steps taken by the Roman Catholic Church to institutionalize quinceaneras by introducing a prayer book said that the church allows the ceremony to be performed by an unordained minister called a deacon. Deacons in the Catholic Church are ordained. The article also said that the church suggests that this version of the ceremony begin with a passage from Jeremiah, in which God asks Mary to carry his child. The passage refers to God asking Jeremiah to be a prophet.
Although the Catholic Church officially adopted the text in September, it has sold only 5,000 copies, which must be purchased through the publisher for $6.95 each, nationwide. Few parishes know about it, and this bothers some priests.
At La Placita, Estrada is especially troubled that he has never heard of the book. He assumes that it's a way of "Americanizing" the ceremony, but perhaps the church is missing the point, he said.
"Many, many Anglo parishes refuse because it's too expensive," he said, referring to the lavishness that has come to typify most quinceaneras. "The key is that it's a teachable moment when you can gather kids who don't usually go to church."
For Estrada, the language and structure are secondary to the meaning of quinceaneras.
"In these times, young girls and young boys need to hear about responsibility, that they are contributing members of society," he said.
Estrada thinks the cost of the dress, limousine and after-party should not outweigh the moment when a young girl reaffirms her Catholic faith before her family, friends and God.
"Instead of scolding these people, can't we just understand that this is part of the culture and that they want to give something to their daughter?" he said.
Traditional quinceaneras are elaborate affairs celebrated in the context of a Catholic Mass. The celebrant typically chooses up to 15 friends or family members who form a kind of adolescent bridal party. However, Angelica Arroyo and her family decided not to burden others with the exorbitant cost of dresses and tuxedos and invited only one young man to be her usher, or chambelan.
As the church music swelled, Angelica and her chambelan, 15-year-old Vincent Barron, stood looking up at the altar. The Mass commenced with the usual prayers and readings, until the priest gave a sermon about the role of women in the church.
