55 YEARS

A PRIEST
Last week on the 55th anniversary of his ordination, the Pope left Castel Gandolfo by car, paid a brief visit to St. Peter's and to the tombs of Pope Pius XII and St. Pius X, and then went on to the little 17th century church of Santa Maria in Montesano where he was ordained on August 10, 1904.
After praying before the high altar, the Pope addressed a few words to the Canon who had welcomed him. He said it was a deep emotional experience for him to stand again in the church where he had been ordained and thanked the Lord for His goodness in allowing him to live to celebrate the day again.
Leaving the church, where a great crowd had gathered to cheer and greet him, the Holy Father went on to the basilica of St. Lawrence whose feastday it was. To the large crowd which again gathered the Pope recalled that 55 years ago, just after his ordination, he had come to this same church to pray. The Pope was accompanied on his journey by his Maestro di Camera, Mgr. Rocca, and his personal secretary, Mgr. Thomas Ryan.