Joy as nun is finally declared ‘Blessed’

It was through classic observation of Catholic rites that Sister Irene Stefani was declared “Blessed” around 10.50am on Saturday, making history as the first beatification in Africa since Pope Benedict XVI revised the ceremony’s traditions in 2005.

It was the second beatification on African soil after another conducted in the former Zaire (now DRC) on August 15, 1985 by Pope John Paul II.

Ululations rent the air as a portrait of Sr Irene was unveiled on the left side of the altar, marking an end to an elaborate rite that had seen clergymen take turns to speak from an altar that was blessed by Nyeri Archbishop Peter Kairo on Thursday in preparation for the historic event.

Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam who represented the Pope at the event, read the beatification formula in Italian – marking the climax of a process that has taken 28 years. The process includes verification of miracles that happen after faithful invoke her name in prayer.

In her case, faithful besieged by revolutionary fighters in a church in Mozambique prayed while invoking her name, touching off a miracle of water from a baptismal font that never ran dry for three days.

After investigations and verification lasting three decades, Cardinal Pengo pronounced; “Welcoming the desire of our brother Peter J Kairo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Nyeri, of many other brothers in the Episcopate and of many faithful people in Christ, and after having the opinion of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, with our apostolic authority we grant that the Venerable Servant of God Irene Stefani, a Professed Religious of the Consolata Missionary Sisters institute, a tireless messenger of the Good News of salvation, a witness of the divine charity and of the saving value of baptism, from now on will be called Blessed and her feast, in the places and according to the rules established by the Canon Law, will be celebrated on October 31 every year, the day of her birth into heaven.”

And with that, history was made in the church, and for Kenya and Africa.

What many of the faithful didn’t know is that had it not been for Pope Benedict’s decree of May 15, 2005, the function would have been conducted by the head of the Catholic Church himself, most probably in Rome.

But the church nowadays allows representatives of the Pope to preside over the ceremony, which is why Cardinal Pengo led the celebration.

On Saturday, the rite went down as stipulated in Pope Benedict’s 2005 decree. By order of the pope’s directive, a short biography of the person being beatified has to be read before the main beatification.

On Sunday, the relics (remains) of Sr  Irene will be taken from Mathari church to the Cathedral  in Nyeri town, where they will be placed in a new tomb which will be a point of reference as a shrine in future years.

On Saturday, speaker after speaker — both church and political leaders — paid glowing tribute to the nun who left her native Italy to help others and paid the ultimate price while at it.

She contracted bubonic plague in 1930 while attending to patients in Gikondi Village, Nyeri County. Her acts have attracted acclaim for the reason that she never had to leave Italy or help anyone but her drive to serve humanity was unquenchable to her last day.

WAITED PATIENTLY

It was the rarity of such an event — which may happen only once in a lifetime — that saw thousands of people throng to the venue and millions more to follow the event live on television.

At the university gate, pilgrims, in a line stretching over two kilometres, waited patiently as the thousands of security personnel deployed to the venue frisked them before entry.

And in what appeared to be an onslaught against religious radicalisation, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that no religion was superior to another and that no one should be forced to adhere to the teaching of a given faith against their wishes.

The President spoke just a day after Al-Shabaab members crossed from Somalia to Ijara in Garissa County and hoisted their flags, preaching to the locals in what appeared to be a change of tack by the terrorists.

“It is very important that when we recall the works of Sister Irene, of the need for us to be tolerant to every faith and religion, the need to be respectful and allow all individuals to practice their faith and religion. No faith is superior to the other and no faith can force others to believe what the people themselves do not accept,” he said.

The President assured Kenyans that the government will protect and preserve the right of every individual to practice their faith.

“We will not be intimidated by a few who want to dictate to others  what they should or should not do,” said President Kenyatta.

He lauded the Catholic Church for the support and cooperation in uplifting the standards of health,  and education.

John Cardinal Njue, the head of the Catholic Church who presided over the ceremony said that Sr Irene’s memory should enable Kenyans to now start seeing beyond the categories of race, tribe, nationality or religion.

“God has provided us with this opportunity to cherish the beauty of a united humanity,” Cardinal Njue said.

“Let this moment be a moment of looking back and also be a moment of renewal when we are able to say that that seed was planted and now is our turn to water it and weed it,” he said.

The ceremony which began at 9am, started with opening hymns before the normal mass liturgy was altered to create room for the beatification rites.

At about 10.50am the Papal decree on the beatification was read out, touching off ululations and applause from the thousands who had attended the event.

Giant screens were mounted at the university’s playground where many who could not see the proceedings from the main stage, followed the event.  Catholics bishops from all over the country and priests and parishioners from across the borders graced the occasion.

LESSONS TO LEARN

Deputy President William Ruto paid glowing tribute to Sr Irene, saying that she left the comfort of her home and family to serve in the rural villages.

“Today gives us an opportunity to reflect on the life of Sr Irene. It gives us an opportunity to ask ourselves and renew the spirit of love, compassion and humility to the point of giving up yourself to the Love of God and humility,” he said.

He added: “She had no family or any relationship in Nyeri but she came to spread the good word and also use her talent to heal the sick .We should live asking ourselves what we can do for our fellow human kind.”

Mr Ruto also said the government was committed to improving health facilities in the country.

“The government will expend health facilities so that those who serve in the hospitals and those who are served will not suffer the fate of Sr Irene,” he said.

HUMAN DEEDNS

Retired President Mwai Kibaki said the story of Sister Irene, nicknamed Nyaatha, confirmed that human deeds that transform the world, though rare, can and should be purposed and prioritised

He said, “Sister Nyaatha’s deeds are a towering portrait of exemplary compassion, sacrifice, courage, commitment, diligence and empathy. The attributes of character that gave her a larger-than-life presence and set her apart were made all the more special by her great love for God”.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua and Senator Mutahi Kagwe said the event had put the Central Kenya county into the international limelight and it would be used to market the county.

Although politicians from the central region attended the function, politics took a back seat. Only Governor Gachagua, Senator Kagwe and area MP Esther Mirugi addressed the gathering.

Thousands of hawkers cashed in on the event selling portraits, calendars, T-shirts and booklets on the life of the Catholic nun.