Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. celebrated his 75th birthday on Sept. 26, and a few close friends (well, actually a few hundred) got together on the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul to serenade him.

The well-wishers were more than 300 students from the archdiocesan schools, who assembled in front of the Cathedral on Sept. 6 to formally open the 236th consecutive year of Catholic education in the region.

During his remarks at the rally, Archbishop Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. invited the students “to embrace the gift of Catholic education and to become leaders who serve others,” adding that “small acts of Christian love are contagious.”

CatholicPhilly.com joins the faithful in wishing Archbishop Chaput a happy birthday. Ad multos annos!

(Video by Sarah Webb and Gina Christian.)