What Is Being Built
The Monastery Taking Shape
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The story of a monastery born from faith, family, and a sacred call heard across the ocean.
The land where OLPAM stands is not just property. It is a place already consecrated by prayer, by community sacrifice, and by the generosity of one man who gave it to God long before his grandson was born.
Eze Ezewuiro, the grandfather of our founder, owned the land at Ulo-Church in Umuihiokwu. A leader of deep faith, he welcomed Irish missionaries to Ogbe-Nneishii and gave them his land freely to build a church for the people. That church, St. Oliver Church, Ogbe, is where a young Kevin Ori first heard the word of God, attended catechism, and kicked a football on the same sacred ground.
The community decided to bring the church and school together. St. Oliver Church relocated to St. Paul School, Ogbe. Those who had donated land reclaimed their portions. Eze Ezewuiro allowed Fr. Kevin’s father to farm on the family section. The sacred ground became farmland. But it was never forgotten.
In 2018, Fr. Kevin began quietly negotiating to purchase the family land from the children of Eze Ezewuiro. The purpose was unclear at that point, but the pull was strong. In June 2024, with the tireless help of his brothers Cletus and Declan Ori, the negotiations were finally complete. The land was secured. What God intended for it would soon become clear.
Back in the United States after completing the land purchase, Fr. Kevin received an unexpected telephone message from Sr. Lucy Esedebe, a longtime trusted friend and former hospital matron in his Diocese, now with the Our Lady of Apostles congregation. Her words were simple but carried the weight of something beyond ordinary: “You will be receiving a call from someone in the monastery. Please listen.”
The call came. Sr. Chika Mbalaji of St. Clare Franciscan Monastery, Ijebu-Ode, shared her vision of starting a monastery in the Diocese of Ahiara. Fr. Kevin listened. Everything clicked into place.
After conversations with Engineer Daniel Ori, construction began. The foundation of the monastery was laid on the very soil where Eze Ezewuiro once gave his land to God, where children once played football after Mass, where a family had farmed for decades. Now it would become a house of perpetual prayer.
Rev. Dr. Kevin Ori shared the project with the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, seeking the blessing and canonical oversight of the local Church. From that moment, he and Sr. Chika Mbalaji have been working together to draw up the Constitution and legal documents that will formally establish OLPAM as a canonical religious community.
The main building is expected to be completed in 2026. The foundation of the adoration chapel has already been laid. When the nuns move in, work will continue on the chapel and the grounds. One man’s retirement savings have brought it this far. God’s grace, and the generosity of His people, will carry it the rest of the way.
Founder and Spiritual Father
Rev. Dr. Kevin A. Ori is a Catholic priest, former Director of Projects and Chancellor of his Diocese, and the visionary behind Our Lady of Perpetual Adoration Monastery. He was born and raised in Ogbe-Ahiara, Mbaise, and carries in his blood the same spirit of generosity that led his grandfather to give land to God more than half a century ago.
Having served the Church for decades in priestly ministry and diocesan leadership, Fr. Kevin now channels everything, including his personal savings, his retirement funds, and his energy, into building a monastery on the very ground where his family’s faith took root. He oversees the project while based in the United States, visiting as often as he can.
The co-foundress, Sr. Chika Mbalaji of St. Clare Franciscan Monastery, Ijebu-Ode, brought the spiritual vision and monastic expertise. Together, they are drafting the Constitution and legal documents that will formally establish OLPAM as a canonical religious community in the Diocese of Ahiara.
“So far, I have relied on my retirement funds and savings for this project. Hopefully, others will join hands in the future to continue God’s work and bring the reign of God in our land.”
Rev. Dr. Kevin A. Ori and Sr. Chika Mbalaji, for OLPAMThe sisters follow the Rule of St. Clare, approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1253, one of the oldest rules of consecrated life for women in the Catholic Church. It calls for radical poverty, fraternal love, and deep contemplation.
OLPAM is being established in the Diocese of Ahiara, in full communion with the local Church. The Bishop of Ahiara was informed of the project in June 2025 and the monastery is being founded under proper canonical oversight.
The Constitution of Our Lady of Perpetual Adoration Monastery is being carefully prepared by Fr. Kevin and Sr. Chika. It will govern the sisters’ life of prayer, community, enclosure, and apostolate for generations to come.
This monastery has been built by one man’s faith and personal sacrifice. You can be part of God’s work here through prayer, donation, or vocation.