1,000 officers secure Nyeri as county hosts nun’s sainthood fete

Appointed fathers open the box where the remains of Sister Irene Stefani were kept since 1995 at Mathari Chapel in Nyeri on May 21, 2015. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Pope Francis’ representative, Tanzanian Archbishop Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, will read the beatification decree.
  • John Cardinal Njue will be the main celebrant. One of the organising officials said only vehicles registered with and branded by the transport committee would be allowed to ferry guests during the ceremony, the first of its kind in Kenya and Africa.
  • Catholics from around the world are expected in Nyeri on Friday, ahead of the prayers scheduled to start in the Gikondi Parish, where Sister Stefani served until her death.
  • On Sunday, the remains of Sister Stefani will be moved from Mathari Chapel to St Mary’s Boys Secondary School grounds in Nyeri town, a distance of about seven kilometres.

Over 1,000 police officers have been sent to beef up security in Nyeri County, ahead of tomorrow’s beatification of Sister Irene Stefani ‘Nyaatha’.

The ceremony will be held at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology grounds, starting from 10am. Later in the day, a vigil will be held at the Mathari Mission Centre on the outskirts of Nyeri town.

Pope Francis’ representative, Tanzanian Archbishop Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, will read the beatification decree. John Cardinal Njue will be the main celebrant. One of the organising officials said only vehicles registered with and branded by the transport committee would be allowed to ferry guests during the ceremony, the first of its kind in Kenya and Africa.

Beatification is one step away from sainthood, which is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a Catholic who died after living an exemplary life.

“We have deployed officers in all places of interest to ensure that security is not compromised in any way,” said Nyeri OCPD Charles Rotich, yesterday.

The streets of Nyeri town were yesterday teeming with the men in uniform — who included NYS officers and prison warders. The roads have been repaired and street lighting installed.

LEAST LUGGAGE POSSIBLE

Guests have been asked to arrive at the Dedan Kimathi University grounds by 7am on Saturday. They have also been advised to carry the least luggage possible to ease security checks and reduce cases of theft.

Catholics from around the world are expected in Nyeri on Friday, ahead of the prayers scheduled to start in the Gikondi Parish, where Sister Stefani served until her death.

On Sunday, the remains of Sister Stefani will be moved from Mathari Chapel to St Mary’s Boys Secondary School grounds in Nyeri town, a distance of about seven kilometres.

The procession will start at 7am at Mathari and reach town by 9am. The procession will be led by the British Army who will also carry Sister Stefani’s remains.

After mass, the remains will be moved to Our Lady of Consolata Cathedral, through Temple and Kanisa roads — a distance of 850 metres.

Police have asked motorists to avoid Nyeri this weekend to reduce congestion.

Yesterday, the box containing Sister Stefani’s remains was confirmed to have been intact by a committee designated to approve its authenticity.

The team, led by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri legal officer, Father David Mutahi, and a special team appointed by the Vatican, confirmed that the box, in which the body had been kept since 1995 had not been interfered with.

“This is a clear indication that there was no interference with the remains of Sister Irene Stefani,” said Father Mutahi.

The team signed a deed affirming that the box had been removed and this marked the beginning of the ritual of beatification.

“If that box was not there, then we would not have had a beatification ceremony,” said the priest.

“This committee and members have confirmed that the box was there and was intact… Glory be to God. The beatification ceremony will be as scheduled.”