CNA Newsroom, Dec 13, 2022 / 12:30 pm
On Dec. 13, 1969, just four days before his 33rd birthday, Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio — who today is Pope Francis — was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano, archbishop emeritus of Córdoba (Argentina).
That Dec. 13, 53 years ago, was a Saturday, the eve of the Third Sunday of Advent. In the liturgy of the Church this day is known as Gaudete or Joy Sunday, for many the hallmark of Pope Francis’ pontificate, along with mercy.
According to the book “The Jesuit: Conversations with Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio,” Francis discovered his vocation to the priesthood while on his way to celebrate Gaudete Day.
When he passed by a church in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Flores to go to confession, he received special inspiration from the priest who welcomed him.