KENYA: Catholic Church to Witness the Beatification of a Consolata Missionary, Sister Irene Stefani in the Country.
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| Sr. Irene Stefani, Consolata Missionary Sister |
The Catholic Church in Kenya for the first time
in its history will celebrate the beatification of a Consolata Missionary,
Sister Irene Stefani in the country.
in its history will celebrate the beatification of a Consolata Missionary,
Sister Irene Stefani in the country.
Venerable Sr. Irene Stefani will be
beatificatied on May 23, 2015 at the Dedan Kimathi University grounds in Nyeri,
Kenya.
beatificatied on May 23, 2015 at the Dedan Kimathi University grounds in Nyeri,
Kenya.
Speaking during the Kenya Conference of Catholic
Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Missions Annual General Meeting at the Watakatifu Wote Centre in the Diocese of
Ngong, the Bishop Chairman of the Commission for Missions, Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara,
described Sr. Irene’s love as total self-giving and cited miracles that have
happened through her intercession.
Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Missions Annual General Meeting at the Watakatifu Wote Centre in the Diocese of
Ngong, the Bishop Chairman of the Commission for Missions, Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara,
described Sr. Irene’s love as total self-giving and cited miracles that have
happened through her intercession.
“There have been miracles reported,
authenticated and confirmed due to her intercession,” said Bishop Kihara adding
that “One of the miracles happened among the Christians in Mozambique when water of the
baptismal font of the Church of Nipepe (Diocese of Lichinga, Niasa, Mozambique)
multiplied and served catechists from different parishes of the dioceses
through her intercession.”
authenticated and confirmed due to her intercession,” said Bishop Kihara adding
that “One of the miracles happened among the Christians in Mozambique when water of the
baptismal font of the Church of Nipepe (Diocese of Lichinga, Niasa, Mozambique)
multiplied and served catechists from different parishes of the dioceses
through her intercession.”
The bishop said the Church wants to present her
to the people as a model.
to the people as a model.
Sister Irene came to Kenya in 1914. According to
Bishop Kihara, Sr. Irene, dedicated her service to the poor and the sick, an
act which earned her a special name ‘Nyaatha’ by local people- due to her acts
of mercy. Her service to poor and the sick made her contract a deadly strain of
plague in Gikondi in Nyeri and died in 1930.
Bishop Kihara, Sr. Irene, dedicated her service to the poor and the sick, an
act which earned her a special name ‘Nyaatha’ by local people- due to her acts
of mercy. Her service to poor and the sick made her contract a deadly strain of
plague in Gikondi in Nyeri and died in 1930.
It is said Sr. Irene’s
intercession was invoked by the Christians of Mozambique who had taken refuge
in a church following the civil war in the country. Due to this, there was
enough water for all the refugees in the church for three and a half days, and
not just for drinking, but also to cool off from the sweat and also to wash a
baby girl born on that occasion and called Irene. Her remains were buried in a
Church in Mathari in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri.
intercession was invoked by the Christians of Mozambique who had taken refuge
in a church following the civil war in the country. Due to this, there was
enough water for all the refugees in the church for three and a half days, and
not just for drinking, but also to cool off from the sweat and also to wash a
baby girl born on that occasion and called Irene. Her remains were buried in a
Church in Mathari in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri.
Bishop Kihara said this year the Church in Kenya
feels very blessed since many congregations are celebrating their golden and
silver jubilees, a sign that the Church in Kenya is slowly becoming mature,
strong and more vibrant. He urged the missionaries to continue being the light
and salt to the world appealing to the faithful to support those in mission.
feels very blessed since many congregations are celebrating their golden and
silver jubilees, a sign that the Church in Kenya is slowly becoming mature,
strong and more vibrant. He urged the missionaries to continue being the light
and salt to the world appealing to the faithful to support those in mission.
Meanwhile, the
Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, His Excellency Archbishop Charles
Daniel Balvo has urged the Diocesan Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS)
Directors to emulate St. Paul who was bound by the love of Jesus Christ to
spread the Gospel.
Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, His Excellency Archbishop Charles
Daniel Balvo has urged the Diocesan Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS)
Directors to emulate St. Paul who was bound by the love of Jesus Christ to
spread the Gospel.
Delivering his official speech at the same meeting
of the Diocesan Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS), the apostolic Nuncio
also quoted Pope Francis who encourages the priests to be joyful announcers of
the Gospel.
of the Diocesan Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS), the apostolic Nuncio
also quoted Pope Francis who encourages the priests to be joyful announcers of
the Gospel.
The AGM which is being coordinated by the PMS
National Director, Rev. Fr. Celestino Bundi, brought together PMS Diocesan
Directors and Holy Childhood Coordinators. The meeting was also graced by the
host bishop, Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa.
National Director, Rev. Fr. Celestino Bundi, brought together PMS Diocesan
Directors and Holy Childhood Coordinators. The meeting was also graced by the
host bishop, Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa.
By Rose
Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB
Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB
