Father Alcuin Maurus Nyirenda, OSB, a Tanzanian by birth and nationality, was born on 09 October 1953 in Songea town - Ruvuma Region situated in the extreme South of Tanzania.
He frequented elementary school in the same place for four years. In 1968 he joined Middle school Standard (std) V-VII in the Priory School owned and run by African Benedictines of Hanga-Songea.
After the school he joined the monastery as claustral oblate of the Benedictines of Hanga.
In 1972 he frequented secondary school studies in the Minor Seminary school run by the diocese. After secondary education he joined National military service (compulsory) for one year then returned to the monastery for noviciate.

On 15th August 1980 he made his first profession. Immediately after profession he was sent for philosophical and theological studies in the Major seminary of Peramiho-Songea. On 11th June1987 he was ordained Priest.
After ordination he was assigned to work as a secretary to the Prior of the monastery for one year and later was appointed novice master, the work which he did for only two years (1989-1990).

In 1991 he was sent to St. Anselmo- Rome to attend the licentia in monastic studies which he finished in 1993.

On 13th December 1993 the Monastery of Hanga was elevated to the status of an abbey and on 02 January 1994, he was elected as the first abbot of the new abbey.
He resigned from the abbatial office on 02 January 2004 after serving the community for ten years and was called to work as Chaplain of the Church of sant’Anselmo.