But after some brawls at home with his father and with his life in turmoil, he decided to go on pilgrimage to the Church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Goede Wil in Duffel to help him decide whether he should marry or enter the Trappist Monastery of Westmalle.

In 1836 Westmalle Priory was raised to the status of an independent abbey by Pope Gregory XVI.

On 14 July 1836, already prior of the monastery, Dom was elected as its first abbot of the abbey of Westmalle.

When the priory obtained the status of an abbey, the strict rule that the monks could only drink water with their meal was relaxed.

They started brewing on 1 August 1836, and on 10 December 1836 the monks tasted their own beer for the first time.