A long-time reader and supporter here had a road trip to Charlotte, NC. He recounts for us his experience of a Sunday Mass. I’ll anonymize the comments to remove specific references and not post photos because I strongly suspect that Bp. Martin would go out of his way to hurt these parishioners in some way.
Father,
Happened upon one of the traditional parishes while visiting my daughter in Charlotte, NC. Wanted to share this story as I saw someone else reached out to you about this troubled traditional community.
It’s been an extraordinary weekend, as my wife and I journeyed down through NJ, Pennsylvania, Maryland, WV, VA and into North Carolina for a visit with our daughter. Lots to share but as this is about Sunday, this is really a report about the faith community we encountered….
I was literally blown away by the faith, community, prayerfulness, beautiful liturgy, spectacular chant by the choir, and preaching by the parish priest.
We attended the 10:30 mass and you’d think it was Easter or Christmas! Standing room only, people in the side aisles and narthex, along with well dressed robust families with scores of children – in what I think is what remains of a traditional community who has been mistreated by the local competent authority…with lots of veiled women and young ladies. I have seldom heard the strong, clear responses in English and ordinary of the mass in Latin at a Novus Ordo – for instance the Gloria and Credo sung by everyone.
There were more than a dozen young men serving, all attentive and clearly very well trained.
I exited quickly and caught the parish priest telling him how impressed I was, pledging prayers from me and my friends in NY and saying that what a shame they cannot pray as they want. He appreciated the pledge of prayer, invited me back then made sure to add: we will win in the end.
[E]veryone who communicated knelt at the first step of the sanctuary, on a carpet, and received there, one-by-one. It was striking.
We should pray for this and other communities of strong Catholic tradition in the Diocese of Charlotte if what I saw today is representative of their love of the church, the Eucharist and Our Lord!
I am buoyed with great hope for the church after praying with these people today. May God keep them strong in faith and Our Lady protect them!
