He entered the novitiate in the order at Gars Abbey in 1892 and entered with the intention of preaching the Gospel to the most abandoned. On 16 October 1893 he made his vows and was later ordained to the priesthood on 16 June 1895 in Regensburg. He had hoped to be part of a mission band in Brazil but was sent instead to Dürrnburg to teach high school students. In addition to teaching he provided pastoral assistance at the churches in neighboring villages and preached for the most part. He was devoted to the Eucharist and in his preaching invited all to have recourse to the Blessed Sacrament in times of need and trouble. In 1899 the order opened a new institute for prospective seminarians in Gars and he was transferred there as its director on 22 September 1894. He had time to preach one retreat to the students and participate in its opening.