CHARLOTTE — St. Ann Parish and the Charlotte Latin Mass Community celebrated the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (formally known as the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel) with a Solemn High Latin Mass Sept. 29.
The Extraordinary Form Mass was offered by Father Matthew Buettner, house spiritual director for St. Joseph College Seminary, and assisted by St. Ann’s pastor Father Timothy Reid as deacon and Deacon Peter Tonon as subdeacon.
In the Extraordinary Form (Latin) calendar, each archangel (Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael) retains its own separate feast day, with the feast of St. Michael occurring on Sept. 29.
The feast day, otherwise known as “Michaelmas,” was established to commemorate the establishment of the Basilica of St. Michael (Monte Sant’Angelo) on Mount Gargano, Italy, where in the 5th century, the archangel appeared in a cave. A basilica was later built on the site and in an apparition St. Michael indicated that he sanctified the cave – so the rocks of the cave are considered relics. Since then many people have been healed of afflictions from the rocks.
After Mass, the nearly 330 faithful in attendance approached the altar rail and venerated the stones of St. Michael the Archangel held by Fathers Buettner and Reid (also pictured).
With the veneration concluded, the Charlotte Latin Mass Community hosted a reception outside with coffee and cookies, along with St. Michael’s bannock, a traditional Irish flat bread honoring St. Michael that was baked by a parishioner. For more information about the Latin Mass, contact Chris Lauer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.charlottelatinmass.org.
— Markus Kuncoro and Mike FitzGerald | Catholic News Herald
