CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (LifeSiteNews) — Catholics who knelt for Holy Communion at a Mass with the bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte present have spoken out about how they were motivated by the love of God and the desire to give him “glory.”

In an exclusive interview with LifeSiteNews, Friends of Catholic Reverence explained why they invited Catholics to attend a concelebrated Mass held at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Charlotte, North Carolina, where almost every single person in attendance knelt to receive the Eucharist amid Bishop Michael Martin’s crackdown on tradition.

The group pointed out that their reverence, shown by kneeling to receive Christ Jesus in Holy Communion on the tongue, is owed to “our most Sacred and Blessed Lord at Mass,” and also noted that this reverence is a key aspect of the necessary spiritual battle “against the world, the flesh and the devil.”

Asked what inspired her to join the Mass, prayer vigil, and rally in support of reverence, one woman, Nellie, replied, “The profound desire to give glory (to) God.”

Nellie shares what inspired her to attend a prayer vigil and rosary rally for greater liturgical reverence, held at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Charlotte, North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/1mfyzjgwvA

— EmilyMangiaracina (@EmilyMangiarac4) July 15, 2025

Another Catholic who attended, a young man named Alex, replied, “Frankly, I love God. And I don’t mean that just that He’s my friend. I mean that I acknowledge that He’s the Creator of the universe and He deserves our honor and our praise that is in accord with the fact that He’s the Creator of the universe.”

He pointed out that in a reverent Mass, “the instruments, the music, the behavior of the priest and the parishioners acknowledges with body and speech the fact that our Creator is present with us.”

The kneeling gesture of adoration at the concelebrated Mass was prompted by Martin’s attempt to ban the use of altar rails and kneelers in an explosively controversial document originally published on the blog Rorate Caeli.

“To instruct the faithful that kneeling is more reverent than standing is simply absurd,” Martin wrote, stipulating that “in new constructions and renovations of sacred spaces, altar rails are not permitted,” and that “Moveable altar rails should be removed, and permanently fixed altar rails should no longer be used.”

“The placement of a prei dieu (a kneeler) for the reception of communion is not appropriate,” he added. After the letter was leaked, the diocesan communications director said the highly controversial document “was an early draft that has gone through considerable change over several months” and still remains “in discussion.”

“Since Bishop Martin’s statement is public, we asked the faithful if they were willing to make a united, public, yet positive statement by participating in the bishop’s Mass in a reverent manner, and soliciting Heaven’s help through a public rosary,” Friends of Catholic Reverence told LifeSiteNews.

The group called upon Bishop Martin “to be sensitive to the needs of the faithful and especially the aged,” adding, “We ask that he not discriminate against those with mobility issues who prefer to kneel.”

“Many of the faithful find the removal of kneelers intimidating. This clearly does not edify,” Friends of Catholic Reverence noted. 

Liturgical reverence is not only the proper response to God — it “can have a powerful effect in informing and shaping us,” Friends said. “Liturgical reverence assists in reorienting our body and soul. What we pray and do inside of Mass can have a strong conscious and subconscious effect on how we pray and what we do outside of Mass.”

Traditional Latin Mass closures

Friends of Catholic Reverence also decried Bishop Martin’s merger of four traditional Latin Masses, arguing that it will not foster unity but will instead hurt unity while imposing uniformity.

“Unity is defined as a condition of harmony or oneness. The Catholic Church has many liturgical rites within one Church and there is a condition of harmony within this beautiful diversity of worship since they are all Catholic and consider the Pope their head,” Friends said. 

“Bishop Martin is creating uniformity through shunning (TLMs) but not unity. Unity already exists and his actions will assist in destroying this unity. The Catholic Church has never demanded uniformity of worship under these various rites. There is a beautiful richness expressed through this diversity.”

The group anticipates that the prohibition on the TLMs will moreover “likely destroy the communities that have organically grown over the years,” in part since the one new TLM location in the Diocese of Charlotte demands a two-hour drive each way from some TLM attendees.

One woman who attended the concelebrated Mass on July 1 implored Martin to reconsider the decision he made to shut down TLMs in the diocese that have “chang(ed) the lives” of the families there.

“It was so painful for us, and for me, as an immigrant family,” she said, adding that she felt marginalized due to the decision.

Moving forward

Asked what the faithful should do now, Friends of Catholic Reverence took inspiration from a message from Bishop Joseph Strickland, posted on his Substack page on June 29:

“The Holy Eucharist is not a symbol. It is not a social glue to a fellowship club. It is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is truly Emmanuel, God-with-us. And it is being profaned.

What must our response be?

Reparation. Holy Hours. Fasting. Acts of love. Visits to the tabernacle. Masses offered in silence and devotion. Small acts that shake hell.

Mary is not calling us to comfort. She is calling us to combat. With Mary at our side and Christ in the Eucharist, we are not afraid.

My brothers and sisters, the war has begun. Not just the missiles. Not just the heresies. The war for souls.  We must fight – not with violence, but with truth.  Not with rage, but with love. Not with slogans, but with the Gospel.

Let me speak plainly: Do not abandon the Church, no matter how she suffers. Do not follow wolves, no matter how gentle their tone.  Do not be silenced by fear, or bribed by comfort.

Be faithful. Take up your Rosary like a sword. Go to confession. Go to adoration. Return to reverence. Return to Christ. He is calling. He is waiting.

This is not the time to flee. It is the time to stand. As St. Joan of Arc said: “I am not afraid … I was born for this.” So were you. The smoke is thick. But the sword is drawn. Now is the hour to fight – where the battle rages most.  And so, dear friends, we lift high the Cross.

We entrust ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the sure guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this time of war, confusion, and silence, may we be found faithful – burning with truth, grounded in charity, and anchored in Christ.

May the fire of His love consume all fear. May His light pierce the darkness. And may His truth reign in His Church and in the world.

And now I bless you: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Among other prayers, Friends of Catholic Reverence encourages the faithful to consider praying the following Holy Face devotion daily:

May the most Holy, the most Sacred, the most Adorable, the most unknown and the most inexpressible Name of God be adored, praised, blessed, loved and glorified, in heaven, on earth and in the hells, by all creatures formed by his sacred hand, and by the loving Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Blessed Sacrament of the altar. Amen