Nelson Baker entered Our Lady of Angels Seminary (now Niagara University) on September 2, 1869.

Hanlon was educated at the Christian Brothers in Albany, and later entered Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara, in 1868.

He then entered Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara Falls, New York, and later furthered his studies at the University of Innsbruck in Austria and College of Propaganda in Rome.

In 1989, he graduated class valedictorian from Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary in the San Fernando Valley.

The seminary existed on the site from the time it was built in 1926 until 1953 when it moved to its new home in the San Fernando Valley and was renamed Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary.

He studied philosophy and theology at Los Angeles College, Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary in San Fernando and St. John's Seminary in Camarillo.

He went on to Our Lady of Angels Seminary, then to the Jesuit-run St. Mary's College in Montreal.

Originally founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1856 as Our Lady of Angels Seminary, it became Niagara University in 1883.

After graduation, instead of beginning a business career, he began preparation for the vocation of the priesthood, entering Our Queen of Angels Seminary in San Fernando, California.

Educated in California, he attended the former Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary in Mission Hills, Los Angeles, and St. John's Seminary in Camarillo.