His experiences made him feel that God wanted him to be a "doctor of souls" and so he became a priest; he commenced his studies for the priesthood on 29 September 1939 in Barcelona. It was during his studies that his mother died in 1941 at the time he received the minor orders; he was elevated to the diaconate on 22 March 1942. Claret was ordained to the priesthood on 30 May 1942. Claret's secret for a fulfilling spiritual life was to possess a strong ardent devotion to the Eucharist and for filial love to the Mother of God. After his ordination he was made the parochial vicar of the parish of Sant Esteve Sesrovires and in 1943 was sent to the Pontifical University of Salamanca for theological studies; he entered on 13 November 1944. He earned his theological degree in 1944.
