Born into a poor farming family, on 15 November 1789 he entered the Convent of San Vicente de Plasencia, aged 13 and lived there until he was ordained a priest.
He was appointed Teacher of Students in the Monastery of Santa María de Trianos of the Diocese of León.
Later he was transferred to Santo Domingo de La Coruña as a reader of Sacred Theology.
He fled to Madrid where he was confessor of the Royal Family and later he was elected prior of the Convent of Our Lady of Atocha.
On 28 October 1824 the king appointed him Bishop of Urgel and the investiture service took place on 6 March 1825,[3] in the royal chapel.