Nicholas Ayo—born in New Jersey and educated by Benedictine sisters and monks—is professor emeritus in the program of liberal studies at the University of Notre Dame with teaching emphasis in theology and literature. He has been a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross since 1953, graduated from Notre Dame and Moreau Seminary in 1956, and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1959. After pursuing theological studies in Rome, Ayo studied literature at Duke University and taught at the University of Portland for ten years. Ayo’s ministry assignments have included working with Holy Cross novices in Vermont and Colorado. He is an award-winning author of twelve books and numerous articles on Catholic spirituality and theology.
