 La Lomia entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on 4 November 1851 where he assumed the religious name of "Gioacchino Fedele da Canicattì" and was vested on 12 December 1852 before he was ordained to the priesthood in Palermo on 2 June 1855; he had received the tonsure and minor orders the previous 2 March.La Lomia made his solemn profession in Agrigento on 5 November 1853 and since 1861 underwent his theological and philosophical studies at Caltanissetta.On 27 June 1864 he left for Rome to learn Portuguese.