Bishop Athanasius Schneider celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass from the Faldstool in Charlotte on October 26, a first of its kind for the 45 year old diocese. The Mass was offered in commemoration of Blessed Karl, Emperor of Austria, with Bishop Schneider (an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Astana, Kazakhstan) preaching on the Kingship of Christ. Approximately 650 were in attendance, far surpassing expectations.

The Mass setting was the Missa Iste Confessor by Palestrina with music provided by Director Terese Rowe, organist Dr. Gianfranco DeLuca, the St. Ann Choir, Schola Cantorum, and Cantate Domino Latin Choir.

Father Jason Barone of the Diocese of Charlotte served as subdeacon with St. Joseph College Seminary rector Father Matthew Kauth serving as assistant priest and Father Noah Carter as Master of Ceremonies for the Mass; both men are priests of the Charlotte Diocese. Servers for the Mass were all seminarians of the Diocese of Charlotte.

Photo credit: Markus Kuncoro of the Charlotte Latin Mass Community and Patricia Guilfoyle of the Catholic News Herald.