CHICAGO (WLS) — Fifty years ago, Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich was ordained into the Catholic priesthood.

On a Saturday evening, hundreds of churchgoers, deacons, and priests gathered to honor Cardinal Cupich’s 50th anniversary with a special Mass at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Fifty years of sacred service is cause for celebration.

The procession stretched down the sidewalk outside Holy Name Cathedral.

Inside, the sacred walls of the sanctuary hundreds of Chicago’s faithful raised their voices and bowed their heads in prayer.

The Saturday evening Mass marked half a century of Catholic ministry for Cardinal Cupich. The scripture reflected the milestone

Cupich, ordained on August 16, 1975, served as bishop in South Dakota and Washington state before becoming Chicago’s Archbishop in 2014.

In October 2016, the late Pope Francis selected Cupich as the first U.S. Archbishop to be inducted into the College of Cardinals under his tenure.

In a conversation Friday with ABC7, Cardinal Cupich recalled what made that moment so special.

“I vividly remember the announcement on October 9, the day after the Cubs clinched the pennant,” Cupich recalled. “I was at the stadium the night before, and it was a significant and memorable moment.”

In that role as Cardinal, Cupich was seen as an integral voice inside the papal conclave that chose the church’s very first American-born Pope.

The Catholic Church’s history spans thousands of years, and during Cupich’s initial 50 years of service, an American became Pope. The Archbishop shared his thoughts on this milestone.

“During my five decades as a priest, there have been remarkable developments within the church,” Cupich remarked. “Indeed, it is a historic achievement for us, and we take great pride in it.”

But Saturday evening, the historic moment was Cardinal Cupich’s to claim.

“Cardinal Cupich has meant stability to the church for a long time here in Chicago,” parishioner Joan Hammel said. “He brings with him humility and a sense of service.”

READ MORE | Cardinal Blase Cupich reflects on papal conclave, selection of Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV

“I am convinced that in this past half century we have been living in extraordinary times, historic times for the church, following the council,” Cupich said. “Let us never take that for granted.”