A German American from the South Side of Chicago, Pfleger attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, Loyola University and the University of Saint Mary of the Lake.
He was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago on May 14, 1975.

Since 1981, he has been pastor of the mostly African American parish of Saint Sabina, a Catholic church in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
His uninterrupted tenure in just one parish is normally unheard of in a diocese where pastors usually serve for only six to twelve years.
When he was appointed to his present position, at age 31, he became the youngest pastor in the Chicago archdiocese.
Under his leadership, Saint Sabina has established an Employment Resource Center, a Social Service Center and also an Elders home.
A German American from the South Side of Chicago, Pfleger attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, Loyola University and the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. He was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago on May 14, 1975.
Since 1981, he has been pastor of the mostly African American parish of Saint Sabina, a Catholic church in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood. His uninterrupted tenure in just one parish is normally unheard of in a diocese where pastors usually serve for only six to twelve years. When he was appointed to his present position, at age 31, he became the youngest pastor in the Chicago archdiocese. Under his leadership, Saint Sabina has established an Employment Resource Center, a Social Service Center and also an Elders home.
Michael Pfleger