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Why do Latino Christians treat their patron saint's day more importantly than their birthday? Would a fifteen-year-old girl's Quinceañera be as important as a birthday or more important than a birthday, with similar value to a patron saint's day or the day on which they would be confirmed in the church?

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  • Not sure the community says this is on-topic: How should we handle questions about Christian culture? I like it though and would be happy to see the answers.
    – fгedsbend
    Oct 18, 2013 at 5:15
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    @Fred I think this is on topic, it isn't just latino Christians. It's a long standing tradition in the Church that it's neglected by protestant influenced Catholics in North America and Europe
    – Peter Turner ♦
    Oct 18, 2013 at 10:32
  • Also a tradition in the Orthodox church, thought I can't say it is followed to any great extant. In the monasteries however, the birthday is never celebrated...
    – Byzantine
    Oct 18, 2013 at 14:25

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Not just Mexican, mostly a Catholic tradition. (http://www.catholic.org/saints/faq.php)

This is one way to carry-out this tradition: Catholics ask saints to give a word or two to God for them. So, if my name is Peter, I should IDENTIFY myself with Peter's Day, present gifts, ask people to help me with extra treatment/presents, so together with Saint Peter, in God's favor, I can ask what I want/need. Can't get that on a b-day.

So, it is a TOOL to help a Catholic identify with God. Never the less, a tradition, not that is right or wrong. But far from the truth.

Quinceañera, is a right-of-passage, personal birthday. Not answered here.

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