Pope's ambassador asks Christians to emulate Sister Stefani's good work

George Muhoho, a former Director General of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and a former Catholic priest viewing artifacts and other historical materials with catholic nuns on 19th may 2015 at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). This was during the opening of the international missionary conference. [PHOTO/MBUGUA KIBERA/STANDARD]

Testimonies about the work of Sister Irene Stefani of Gikondi Parish took centre stage at a conference in Nairobi, with majority of speakers remembering the sacrifice she made for the sick.

At the International Missionary Conference organised to coincide with the beatification of Sister Stefani, participants described her as a loving person who emulated Christ by offering her life for the sake of her friends.

The Pope's representative, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan Charles Balvio, said Christians need to reflect on what direction they are taking in life and what vision they have for missionary work.

"Sister Irene gave her life for the sake of those she cared for. All of us must reflect on what direction we are taking and what vision we have in life for the missionary work just as Irene did," said the Holy See diplomat.

John Lukwata, a Catholic priest and a professor of Liturgy at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, said Stefani died at the age of 39 after suffering from an incurable illness.

Since her death, the cause for beatification has been ongoing with those whose lives she touched making testimonies that she lived a virtuous life worth emulation.

"Once a person dies and the Christians believe that you lived a virtuous life, the cause of beatification can begin. The process takes long because the church does not just rush to declare a person a saint. The church must be certain about the life of the person," explained Fr Lukwata.

Lukwata said the process of Canonisation which is the apex of Sainthood begins when a person is declared a Servant of God.

Ejidio Wahome and Ambassador Emma Murai, both aged 70 and whose lives were touched by the Consolata Missionaries, testified that the missionaries were dedicated and wanted Africans to live a better life and be of service to God.

Wahome said his mother was the first person to be baptised at Gikondi Parish when the missionaries arrived and that his life was shaped by the work of missionaries.

"I am what I am today because of Consolata Missionaries. My mother was the first person to be baptised in that parish and we grew knowing that we must serve others and help one another," said Wahome.

Other prominent leaders who benefited from the Consolata missionaries are former President Mwai Kibaki, Education CS Jacob Kaimenyi and his Health counterpart James Macharia.