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CHARLOTTE — In what is becoming an annual tradition, St. Ann Church celebrated a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form ("Missa Solemnis") on the feast of Saint Ann on July 26.

Father Timothy Reid, pastor, served as the main celebrant, and Father Matthew Kauth served as homilist. Bishop Peter Jugis of the Diocese of Charlotte also attended the Mass, which was offered in honor of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Deacon Jason Christian was the deacon. Seminarian Noah Carter was the subdeacon. The St. Ann Schola Choir provided the music.

Pictured above: Bishop Peter J. Jugis imparts his blessing upon everyone gathered at the Solemn High Mass celebrated at St. Ann Church in Charlotte July 26, the feast of Saint Ann. See more photos below.

Father Kauth, now in residence at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, spoke during his homily about a beautiful work of art in the Church of St. Augustine in Rome which features an image of St. Ann, the Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus who holds in his hand a finch, which represents His Passion.

Father Kauth explained that the way the work of art is composed, it looks like St. Ann has tried to take the finch from Him, but He is holding it away from her so He can keep possession of it. She in turn looks like she is trying to tickle His feet. Father Kauth explained that St. Ann wanted to take the suffering from Our Lord, like any good grandmother would, but when she recognized He was meant to bear it, she wanted to give Him some joy to balance His suffering.

Bishop Jugis was in attendance and imparted his apostolic blessing on those who attended Mass, which came with an indulgence if the conditions are met.

A reception with light refreshments was held following the Mass.

St. Ann has been offering the Latin Mass for the past four years on Wednesday evenings and also on the first Saturday evening of the month.

"We offered our first Latin Mass on May 31, 2008 – the Feast of the Visitation," said Father Reid. "May 31 was also the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary that year. I wanted to offer our first Mass in honor of Our Lady out of my own love for her and to pray for her intercession over our parish, and so that day seemed perfect!"

Father Reid encourages people to attend a Latin Mass, especially if they have never experienced this liturgy before.

"I know a lot of people feel too intimidated to come because the Mass is in Latin, and they worry they won't be able to understand. For this reason, we have worship aids that have both the Latin and English translations to make it easy to follow along.

"But I would also note that the Mass speaks to our entire person. Even if our brains do not understand every word being said at the Mass, our souls do! Moreover, to have our bishop present for the Mass adds a level of solemnity to the event and is a grace for all of us. I am very grateful to Bishop Jugis for his support of the Latin Mass in our diocese."

— SueAnn Howell, staff writer

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Check out the Latin Mass at other times

Charlotte: St. Ann Church, 3635 Park Road, offers a Latin Mass each Wednesday at 6 p.m. (preceded by a Holy Hour at 5 p.m.) and every first Saturday at 6:30 p.m. For information and tips for first-time Latin Mass-goers, go to www.stanncharlotte.org.

Lincolnton: St. Dorothy Church, 148 Saint Dorothy's Lane, offers a Latin Mass at noon each Thursday. For information, go to www.stdorothys.org.