 On March 19, 1909, he joined St. Joseph's Normal School in Pocantico Hills and received the religious habit of the Brothers of the Christian Schools on April 24, 1910, at which time he was given the religious name Antony Ferdinand.At the age of 20, Kilbourn volunteered for missionary work and arrived in the Philippines in 1921, the youngest Brother in Manila.In 1924, he made his final vows and consecrated himself to the Infant Jesus.