June 5, 2000
Baptist church adapts Quinceanera celebration
___SAN ANTONIO--Although the Quinceanera has been most often associated with the Roman Catholic Church, one Texas Baptist church has adapted the Hispanic rite of passage for girls to reflect an emphasis on spiritual disciplines.
___Harlandale Baptist Church in San Antonio called its Quinceanera celebration "El Dia de la Senorita," which means "The Day of the Young Lady."
HONOREES at the "El Dia de la Senorita" celebration at Harlandale Baptist Church in San Antonio were Ashley Delbosque, Christine Castillo and Janice Franklin.
___The root of the term "Quinceanera" means 15, the age girls are considered to become young women. In the Hispanic culture, the Quinceanera is a common coming-of-age ceremony dating back to the Mayans and Toltec Indians.
___Mario Ramos became the first Hispanic pastor of Harlandale Baptist Church in 1998. As a young man growing up in Laredo, he attended many Quinceaneras. He led the Baptist church to adapt the celebration for the first time this year.
___"The cost of a Quinceanera is typically the reason why more families do not have them," he explained. To address that issue, Harlandale Baptist Church asked each young woman's family to pay only $50 and provide a dress. The church and other sponsors provided everything else.
___During the ceremony, each young woman received a ring, a necklace, a tiara, a rose and a Bible. Each gift was explained to be symbolic of the relationship to Jesus Christ.
___Each of the three young women participating were required to attend six weekly Bible studies on issues such as discipleship, sexual purity, beauty, self-esteem, decision-making and materialism.
___"Many of the members of the church had never attended a Quinceanera," Ramos said.
___ "At first, there was a hesitancy to embrace this event. Once the name of the event was changed, it was easier for them to support it. The Quinceanera was well-attended by the church and the family members. It was a beautiful ceremony that included some laughter and tears of joy."
___The celebration concluded with a dinner in the church's fellowship hall. Each young woman presented a storyboard with a photo collage of her life.
___
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