My name is Aloysius Maduekesi Ezeonyeka. I was born at a shanty town called Emene, about five miles from Enugu city (popularly known as the Coal city). I did not have spiritual and intense religious childhood of most Catholic saints. On the contrary, I was less concerned about pious lifestyle and God. In those days, I liked Sundays because they brought me a sense of freedom. Going to church was a social thing for me I dressed up in my best attires, hung out with my friends, and spent sometime outside the church admiring cars and fashions. For me, catechism was one of those unavoidable burdens of my childhood. After attending catechism for about six months learning how to recite Catholic prayers, I discovered that I could not recite the Apostles Creed properly. Since this profession of faith is very crucial to the Catholic Faith, the lady examiner informed me that unfortunately, I would not receive first communion and confirmation. In the spur of the moment I knew I had to think and act fast otherwise, I would have to go through another six months, if not one year of catechetical torture (that was the way I viewed catechism classes). So I immediately swallowed my pride and pleaded earnestly with the lady to pass me. I promised to learn the Apostles Creed on my own if she passed me. The lady was moved by my humility and gave me a pass. And so it came to pass that in 1978 I received my first Holy Communion and was confirmed as a Christian. That was my first stunt. It took me at least a decade to learn the Apostles Creed. During that, I literally turned my back on God. But the Person I received on that day of first Communion did not turn his back on me.

After many years the business world and being a disc jockey in Lagos, the biggest and roughest city in Africa, I had a profound experience of God. God finally found me in 1988 through the Catholic Charismatic movement. From then I started an intense religious practice that culminated in my joining the Order of St. Benedict in 1992. My decision to join the Benedictines sent a shock wave through my family. After joining the Benedictines I resumed my education. Having done a series of monastic studies in my community I proceeded to study philosophy at the Dominican Institute in Ibadan, Nigeria. In the summer of 1998 I travelled to Dublin, Ireland, to work on a Degree in Theology and Anthropology at Kimmage Mission Institute. When I returned to my monastery in Nigeria, I was made the Subprior for three years. During these hectic years, my main function was the coordination and organization of the Monasterys affairs. I gave retreats and seminars to individuals and groups, and I also taught Philosophy and Wisdom literature to young monastic.

The need to explore horizons and expand the frontiers of knowledge brought me to the United States. As an explorer, I often put my ears on the ground through meditation to hear what the Spirit is saying. I am presently pursuing a Masters Degree in Counseling.