[1] In 1618 he was ordained priest and then joined the Benedictines, becoming part of the community of St. Gregory at Douai (now at Downside Abbey.

At Douai, he studied under Welsh Benedictine, Leander Jones, and held the position of cellarer.

He then served for six months as chaplain to the Catholic soldiers in General Goring's army in Cornwall, and, when that force was disbanded, took ship for South Wales.

[2] On 11 May he was sent to London and confined in St. Catherine's Gaol, Southwark, where his treatment brought on a severe attack of pleurisy.

[1] It is recorded that when informed of his death sentence, Powell exclaimed "Oh what am I that God thus honours me and will have me to die for his sake?"