Sr. Mary Gloria Onyeguili is a Benedictine Nun of St. Scholastica Abbey, Umuoji, in Anambra State, Nigeria. She is currently engaged in studying sacred music, especially Gregorian Chant, in a four year course in Rome, run from the ancient Benedictine monastery of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.

Pluscarden has been involved in arranging this course, for God's glory, and for the enhancement of the liturgy not only in Umuoji but potentially in several other African monasteries also.

While in Europe, it was necessary for Sr. Gloria to visit us! She came at last in August 2022. En route she spent time at St. Cecilia's Abbey Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, and at Stanbrook Abbey in Yorkshire. Here with us she was able to stay just two weeks, before returning to Rome for her on-going studies.

While here Sr. Gloria was pleased to be able to meet other Nigerian Religious in our diocese: the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy in Aberdeen; the Daughters of Divine Love in Inverness, and the Emmanuelite Fathers in Beauly. She also met our Br. Patrick, who comes from the same village as her in Nigeria! That small village has produced over 20 Priestly and Religious vocations in recent years.

Umuoji Abbey currently has around 100 resident Sisters. In addition to that, it has made foundations in Nigeria, Angola and Ghana, and has sent its Sisters to help several communities in Spain and Italy.

We hope that this recent little visit will help strengthen bonds of friendship between our communities, so far apart geographically and culturally, yet united in observing the same Holy Rule, and in keeping the same holy Faith!