 He studied at the diocesan Seminary of St. John the Baptist, then went to the Pontificio Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide in Rome, where he graduated with a Doctor of Divinity degree.He was ordained to the priesthood in Charleston in 1840 and served at the Cathedral of Saint John and Saint Finbar in Charleston.He was for a time editor of the "United States Catholic Miscellany", founded by Bishop John England.