"We can learn a lot from this angel," Estrada bellowed from the altar. "The Virgin was a masterpiece from God, chosen because her humility was so tremendous and real. Her response was to put God first."
Angelica was then asked to reaffirm her vows as a Catholic and her commitment to serve the church. Sometimes the girl lights a symbolic candle -- Angelica opted for offering a bouquet of yellow roses to a dramatic portrait of the Virgin Mary.
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.
Serenely watching from behind the altar, Angelica looked more like a bride than a 15-year-old. She was swathed in a red Cinderella dress, her dark hair tussled in a prom-style up-do. When the ceremony ended, she and Vincent led a procession out to the street, where family members and friends snapped pictures and posed for the professional photographer documenting the event.
"Get me a churro," Angelica called to her mother from the Hummer limo as she prepared to leave for the reception. Clutching a tissue, Soto smiled warmly, prepared to give her daughter anything she wanted on this, her 15th birthday.
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alicia.lozano@latimes.com
