Mezzofanti becomes a priest in 1797

Mezzofanti received the clerical tonsure in the year 1795. In 1796 he was admitted to the minor orders; and, on the 24th of September in the same year, to the order of sub-deacon. On the first of April, 1797, he was promoted to deaconship ; and a few months later he was advanced, on September 24th, 1797, to the holy order of priesthood. At this time he had only just completed his twenty-third year. ^Note¹

Who was Mezzofanti ?

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Notes

Note 1
M. Manavit (p. 19,) says, that he was at this time twenty-two years old. But this is an error of a full year. He was born on the 17th September, 1774 ; and therefore, before September 24th, 1797, had completed his twenty-third year. M. Manavit was probably misled by the dispensation in age which was obtained for him. But it must be recollected that such dispensation is required for all candidates for priesthood under twenty-four years complete.