Gaudencio B. Rosales was born on August 10, 1932, in Batangas City to Godofredo D. Rosales and Remedios M. Borbon. He has six siblings – three boys, Guillermo, Gabriel, Gilbert, and three sisters, Rosie, Teresita, and Grace. After his ordination on March 23, 1958, he served for 14 years as a seminary formation agent and as rector of two seminaries. He also served as parish priest in a small barrio and later in a big city parish.

Less than two decades after Rosales' priestly vows, the late Pope Paul VI appointed him on August 12, 1974, as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila where he served as Bishop in-Charge of Antipolo-East Rizal District.

On June 9, 1982, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the then Prelature, later Diocese of Malaybalay, Bukidnon. It was in Bukidnon where he showed his commitment to bring forth a real church, building a bond among the faithful to protect the integrity of God's creation, an advocacy that continues to this date.

On December 30, 1992, Pope John Paul II assigned him to the Archdiocese of Lipa, his home and original diocese. In Lipa, he articulated a pastoral vision that directed and motivated the leaders and faithful in the apostolic trust contained in the book "Aral ng Batangueño." From the heart of the social doctrine of the ARAL's Chapter VI, the Diocese implemented the "Pondong Batangan," a community foundation, which was the first of its kind in the Philippines.

From his appointment as Archdiocese of Manila to his elevation to the College of Cardinals, Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, continues to humbly but resolutely pursue the mission that Christ entrusts to the contemporary church, consistently being an advocate of the inviolable right to life, to genuine development,
and empowerment.

We greet His Eminence, Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, on the occasion of his 77th birthday. We wish him good health and long life. Happy Birthday!