Today we welcome everyone to celebrate Susi’s quinceañera. Some of you may be unfamiliar with a quinceañera. The quinceañera is a traditional celebration of life and gratitude to God on the fifteenth birthday of a young Hispanic woman. The quinceañera emphasizes her passage from childhood to adulthood. The rite is frequently celebrated in several countries in the Americas, including Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
It is the Hispanic women who pass down the faith and prepare the home. The women prepare the altar in the home and teach the children their prayers and the teachings in the Bible. The Abuelita, the elderly grandmother, who cares for the children and prays for the family is an important person in formation of a child’s faith.
The quinceañera is a way for the parents to thank God for the blessing of their daughter’s life and to seek God’s blessing and guidance as she enters adulthood. It is more than becoming fifteen, it is a sign that the young woman has become mature enough to make decisions on her own and to take on additional responsibility.
She makes a commitment to God and the Blessed Virgin to live out the rest of her life according to the teachings of Christ and the Church. The choice by a young Hispanic woman to celebrate her fifteenth birthday in the Church signifies her dedication to God and to be a witness to the world around her.
The Virgin Mary is a model for all of us but especially for women of every class, age, and culture. Mary and Joseph were devout Jews and worshiped in the Temple according to the customs of their faith. God is at the center of their lives and we see this as the story of Christ’s birth is revealed to us in New Testament Gospels.
We frequently forget that Jesus was a Jew. He was raised in his faith and throughout his life he practiced his faith. Maria and Leo have been examples and teachers of the faith with Susi just Mary and Joseph were with Jesus.
Mary was a person who was completely dedicated to God. When the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of God, he said “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” indicating that her dedication to God was known by God.
The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that God has chosen her for a special mission; that she, a virgin, is to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary ponders about this and asks, “How could this be since I’ve had no relations with a man?” Even though Mary wonders about the message of the Angel, she willingly accepts God’s will in her life. Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word.” Her trust was in God.
Mary immediately goes into the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is six months pregnant in her old age, to help her with her delivery and care for her newborn son John. Mary gave us the example of serving others in need of our help.
Jesus is born in Bethlehem and all creation rejoices. Mary keeps in her heart the stories that the Shepards tell of the birth of Christ.
When Jesus was taken to the Temple to offer the sacrifice according to the Law, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Mary quietly ponders the meaning of “you yourself a sword will pierce”. What an example of faith! This happens throughout her life. Mary ponders the meaning of Simeon’s words which are revealed in her Son’s Passion, crucifixion, and death on the cross.
Mary was also a leader; she didn’t just quietly stand by and ponder things. Mary nudged Jesus to begin his ministry. At the wedding in Cana, Mary told Jesus that they ran out of wine. This would be a terrific embarrassment to the family and Mary didn’t want that to happen. She then told the servants to “Do whatever he says.” Another great example of faith.
Mary was also a leader in the early church. After Jesus ascended into heaven, some women and Mary, the mother of Jesus went to the Upper Room to pray with the Apostles and others.
Mary lived a life of dedication to God and to serving others. Her faith was strong during the many trials and hardships of life; fleeing with Joseph to Egypt to protect her son, watching her son cruelly beaten and killed even though he had done nothing wrong, standing at the foot of his cross watching him die.
But Mary also experienced great joy in her life. She rejoiced at the resurrection of Jesus from the dead that is our Salvation, she rejoiced at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and those in the Upper ‘Room.
Our Blessed Mother has appeared numerous times to people throughout the world asking us to pray. Today we pray that she will intercede with her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for us and all people in the world and especially for Susi.
Susi was born on the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. What a wonderful day to be born. Many people pray the rosary, not only Catholics, in devotion to the example Mary is for us today.
Susi, let Mary be your guide in life, following her example of trust in God, meditation and prayer, service to others and leadership by example, living for Christ in the world today.
Susi, join us as we pray together:
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed art you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
