Special Rites
The Church accompanies her children at every stage of their earthly journey. Beyond the seven Sacraments instituted by Christ to give grace, the Church provides Liturgical Rites and prayers to sanctify specific moments in human life, from the celebration of maturity to the passing from this life to the next.
On this page, you will find information regarding two specific rites celebrated at St. Juliana: The Order of Christian Funerals and the celebration of the Quinceañera.
Christian Funerals
The Catholic funeral is a profound act of the Church’s ministry, but it is distinct from the Sacraments. As the Catechism explains, the funeral is a liturgical rite that “confers neither a sacrament nor a sacramental” (CCC 1684). Instead, it is a liturgy of commendation where the Church prays for the deceased, entrusting them to God’s mercy.
While the funeral rites may include the use of sacramentals—such as the sprinkling of holy water or the use of incense to honor the body—the funeral itself is an act of worship and intercession. The Order of Christian Funerals describes the purpose of this rite clearly: “Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God” (OCF 5).
Through these rites, we do not merely mourn; we proclaim our faith in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come.
Quinceañeras
The Quinceañera is a traditional celebration of life and gratitude to God on the occasion of a young woman’s fifteenth birthday. While deeply rooted in Latin American culture and faith, it is important to understand that the Quinceañera is not a sacrament. The sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—are the sole means by which full initiation into the Church is celebrated (CCC 1233, 1285).
Furthermore, the Quinceañera is distinct from the official “sacramentals” instituted by the universal Church (such as the blessing of holy water). Instead, it is a cultural and religious rite of popular piety. The Church encourages such expressions when they foster family prayer and faith formation, viewing them as a beautiful way to integrate culture with the Gospel.
When celebrated at St. Juliana, this cultural rite is enriched by the liturgy. It is often accompanied by a Mass of Thanksgiving where the young woman (the quinceañera) receives special blessings and publicly renews her baptismal promises. It is a moment for her and her family to thank God for the gift of her life and to seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary as she commits herself to a life of Christian maturity.
