Quinceañera: Interculturality and Pastoral Discernment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35312/tdmxgj50Keywords:
Migration, Discernment, Interculturality, QuinceañeraAbstract
The growing presence of migrant families in parishes raises significant pastoral questions, especially regarding the cultural and religious practices specific to their countries of origin. Do these traditions—whether religious or cultural—constitute an obstacle to ecclesial integration, or can they become a factor that fosters it? Practices such as the quinceañera are perceived by many pastoral workers as predominantly social celebrations, focused on the party rather than on faith, which sometimes makes them a pastoral challenge. This article proposes a theological-pastoral interpretation that understands the quinceañera, along with other paraliturgical expressions characteristic of Hispanic religiosity, as a privileged opportunity for the inculturation of the Gospel. From this perspective, such celebrations can act as catalysts for new forms of ecclesial life capable of strengthening intercultural communion and making visible the multifaceted and universal nature of the Kingdom of God.
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