Petre began studying for the priesthood in 1872, was ordained in 1874 and taught for a few years at Downside Abbey where he endowed a library (from which the works of Charles Dickens were banned) a cloister and a swimming pool.
Petre began studying for the priesthood in 1872, was ordained in 1874, and taught for several years at Downside Abbey. During his time there, Petre endowed the school with a library (from which the works of Charles Dickens were banned) a cloister and a swimming pool.