At age 17 he wrote to Cardinal James Gibbons telling him of his desire to become a priest. This letter is on file in the Archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (71-W-3) cated 8/23/1869.

He joined the Marist Order and studied for the priesthood in France. After ordination he returned to Louisiana and Jefferson College (where he had recieved his B.A. in 1871), Convent, Louisiana. dsp.