Quinceañera
Horacio Arroyo and Maria Soto stand proudly behind their daughter Angelica Arroyo before entering La Placita Church in Los Angeles to celebrate her quinceañera. The traditional Latino celebrations marking a girl’s attaining the age of 15 have been gaining in popularity, and their lavishness has been growing. (Christina House / For The Times)
Angelica Arroyo of
Angelica Arroyo, center, waits to enter La Placita Church to celebrate her quinceañera. (Christina House / For The Times)
Angelica Arroyo is escorted down the aisle at La Placita Church by her friend Vincent Barron during her quinceañera. (Christina House / For The Times)
Angelica Arroyo kneels before an image of the Virgin Mary during her quinceañera at La Placita Church. The Vatican recently approved a special prayer book written just for use in quinceañeras, which are becoming increasingly popular. (Christina House / For The Times)
Angelica Arroyo receives a priest’s blessing during her quinceañera at La Placita Church. Few parishes across the nation seem to be aware of a new quinceañera-oriented prayer book, approved by the Vatican, which was developed over a decade with the intention of making sure the popular Latino celebrations play up a religious angle. (Christina House / For The Times)
Angelica Arroyo gets into a limo after her quinceañera, to be taken to the reception. As the traditional Latino rite of passage has gained popularity, some churches have grown concerned over the increasing lavishness of many of the celebrations. (Christina House / For The Times)
Angelica Arroyo dispensed with having a group of attendants at her quinceañera, to save her friends and relatives the cost of such things as fancy dresses and tuxedos. (Christina House / For The Times)
