About the Author

Samuel D. Gaona was born in August of 1978. He was baptized in September of that same year. Samuel received First Communion as a teen, but left the church before he turned 20. He returned and received Confirmation at 33 years of age. It was also during this time that he and his wife, legally married in 1998, had their marriage blessed with the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church.

Opening the scriptures in 2009, Samuel studied with Catholic and non-Catholic students. He joined the Denver Catholic Biblical School in 2011, graduating in 2015.

Samuel spent 7 years teaching adults preparing for their Sacraments of Initiation and then became Director of Religious Education for nearly 3 years.

During that time, Samuel worked with parents, teachers, parish staff, and the Archdiocese, for K-12 Religious Education and Sacrament Preparation. As DRE, Samuel wrote lessons and retreats to compliment and capitalize on the existing Sacrament Preparation workbooks.

In 2023, Samuel began to greatly consider the decision making authority his daughter was gaining. Samuel carefully considered her Quinceañera and her journey beyond the celebration, and sought to advance her instruction in faith and moral values.

Contacting several parishes about preparing young ladies for their Quinceañera, and carrying that blessing through young adulthood and into womanhood, Samuel was given the opportunity to write Quinceañera Preparation curriculum and deliver. His daughter, along with a handful of other young ladies, attended the first presentation of the program Samuel had designed. Later, other young ladies attended the same program.

As the parish wanted to give opportunity to other programs and formats, Samuel turned his class curriculum into a book, "Rite of the Quinceañera," self-published in May, 2025.

Samuel has been recognized for his dedication in connecting faith with everyday life experiences.