 While in Paris, he met Don Bosco, and considered joining Bosco's Salesian Order.He was ordained to the priesthood on 11 June 1884 at St. Mary's in Clapham, by Bishop Robert Coffin, the same priest who had baptized him at St. Mary's years before.Bourne then did pastoral work in Blackheath, Mortlake, and West Grinstead until 1889.