Fr. Ike Udoh, SJ

Fr. Ike (ee-kay) Michael Udoh, SJ was born in Walnut Creek, California and moved with his family to Nigeria when he was two years old. He lived there until his graduation from high school, returning back to Northern California afterward. His interest in the sciences led him to become a medical assistant, to work in an optometry clinic for five years, then earn a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology from U.C. Berkeley. He joined the Society of Jesus in August of 2004.

His most formative experiences as a Jesuit include the 30-day Spiritual Exercises retreat and countless moments of grace and growth in the ministry of accompanying people in various contexts from the Americas, to Asia, and most recently studying Ignatian Spirituality in Madrid, Spain. 

 

From 2009-2012 Fr. Udoh was assigned to Loyola High school in Los Angeles where he taught theology and served as a Campus Minister. He completed his theological studies at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, located in Berkeley. He was ordained at Blessed Sacrament parish in 2015 along with Fr. Marty Silva and five other Jesuit companions. 

“My mission to walk together with the community of Blessed Sacrament Parish feels like coming back home. I look forward to our being mutually encouraged in the faith, as we journey filled with hope in the One whose love never fails.” 

Fr. Ike believes that one of the greatest gifts God has given to humanity is music. “It has a beauty and power that can stir us deep within, even ‘melt the frozen, warm the chill,’ and aid our prayer.” You will come to know him as “the singing priest.” 

Fr. Ike is the son of Osita Joseph Udoh and Dorothy Ego Udoh, brother of Chika Pamela Udoh-esomonu, M.D., and Osita John Udoh (d. 2002), He is a proud uncle to Obialor, Ogugua, Oluchi, and Ogbonnaya.