he was ordained to the priesthood by rt. rev. agostinho de anunciação, archbishop of goa, in april 1700 at the cathedral of st. catherine. he decided to enter the oratorian congregation of goa. he was appointed to the chair of philosophy at the university of st paul's in goa [probably the collegio são paulo]. he took up his post in january 1705, but relinquished it the same year to go to sri lanka.