Described is a catalyst and process useful in the hydrodesulfurization of a distillate feedstock to manufacture a low-sulfur distillate product. The catalyst comprises a calcined mixture of inorganic oxide material, a high concentration of a molybdenum component, and a high concentration of a Group VIII metal component. The mixture that is calcined to form the calcined mixture comprises molybdenum trioxide, a Group VIII metal compound, and an inorganic oxide material. The catalyst is made by mixing the aforementioned starting materials and forming therefrom an agglomerate that is calcined to yield the calcined mixture that may be used as the catalyst or catalyst precursor.