[2] He began studying for the priesthood in 1944, earning a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Procopius College-Seminary in Lisle, Illinois, in 1948.
Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh and on February 24, 1952, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Daniel Ivancho for the eparchy of Passaic in the seminary chapel.
[1][2] The newly ordained Father Pataki earned his license in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, after which he was appointed the rector of SS.
[2] From 1973 until 1978, Pataki served on the Pontifical Commission for the Revision of the Eastern Code of Canon Law; he was also elevated to the rank of a Prelate of Honor by Pope Paul VI.
[1] On November 6, 1995, he would be moved back to the Eparchy of Passaic, this time as its bishop—a post for which he was installed on February 8, 1996.