[1] He entered the novitiate of the Piarists but left due to fear of German suppression so instead became a diocesan priest for the Archdiocese of Vienna.

In 1865 he relocated to Vienna with his aunt and attended high school there though decided his true path in life was to the priesthood.

[4] He commenced his studies for the priesthood in 1871 and was ordained as such on 25 July 1875 from Cardinal Joseph Othmar Rauscher; he chose "Maria" as his middle name on 8 December 1873.

Prior to his ordination he was told he should have had his portrait taken as a memorial picture for his impending funeral due to the graveness of his ailment.

[4] He worked as a vicar in Marchegg after his ordination and in 1879 was made the spiritual director at a Vienna hospital while in 1888 he founded a magazine for craftsmen and labourers.

[1] He founded his order - the Calasanzian Congregation - on 24 November 1889 and determined that it would adhere to the rule of the Piarists despite modifications in several areas.

He was declared Venerable on 6 April 1995 after Pope John Paul II approved the fact that the late priest had lived a life of heroic virtue.