through his involvement with the convent corona núñez decided to pursuit priesthood. he would later clarify that his primary motivation was to continue to learn and given his family's limited resources private schooling was not an option. in january 1920 he began his seminary studies in the san pablo convent of yuriria, guanajuato. there he studied latin, greek, french, grammar, religion, and mexican history, amongst other topics. he then moved to another convent in san luis potosí to continue his studies as a hermit and continue his studies. on october 2, 1923, at the age of 17, he became friar angel in the order of saint augustine. however, the following year he resigned by mailing a letter to the prior general in rome asking for his removal. the last religious ceremony in which he participated took place in his native convent of cuitzeo in which he was disrobed and he removed all emblems (belt, cross, etc.) and signed a document addressed to the vatican declaring the acknowledgement of his request, on april 5, 1926.