Pomp and colour crown Sister Irene Stefani's historic fete

Nyeri Bishop Peter Kairo (Left) and Kisumu Bishop Zacheus Okoth during Sister Irine Stefani's beatification at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri on Saturday. [Photo: Tabitha Otwori/Standard]

Nyeri, Kenya: The Dedan Kimathi University College grounds were Saturday turned into a mega church as thousands of local and international pilgrims turned up to witness the penultimate step in the journey to sainthood for Sr Irene Stefani.

It was a colourful event in every sense of the word; the sea of humanity decked out in a rainbow of fancy clothes sat in a cluster of white tents some distance from the red carpet set aside for the VIPS.

The clergy were resplendent in their flowing white robes and the green, red and orange reflector jackets worn by hundreds of volunteers were evidence of Kenyans carrying on Nyaatha’s mission of mercy.

As early as 7am, there were queues more than two kilometres long. The hot morning sun and stinging wind from the slopes of Mount Kenya did not dampen their spirits.

Yellow and white, the twin colours that globally represent the Catholic Church, were prominent at the celebratory mass dais, in the VIP sitting areas, and on T-shirts worn by the faithful.

The Vatican flag was also flown to the left of the altar, while Kenya’s national flag fluttered to the right, just in front of the dome where President Uhuru Kenyatta sat with State officials.

By 9am, sweet smells filled the air courtesy of entrepreneurs who had set up food tents on grounds opposite the venue of the three-hour mass.

Fifty boys and girls from the Pontifical Missionary Childhood marked the beginning of mass with a liturgical dance. Their well-choreographed steps were thanks to month-long training by Sister Veronica Wanjiku, a Felician Sister.

Nuns-in-training were also part of the beautiful procession that marched along to the songs being churned out by the 600-strong choir.

Dressed in well-pressed robes, the priests, bishops and deacons formed a single file kissing the altar, a sign to mark the beginning of the Holy Eucharist mass.

As the bishops made their way to the altar, they removed their mitres (large pointed hats) to reveal skull caps; red for John Cardinal Njue and purple for the rest.

Signed by Pope

In his welcome to the celebrants, Nyeri Archbishop Peter Kairu described Sister Irene Stefani as a model of heroic value. He also recognised the papal beatification representative, Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, the Archbishop of Dar Es Salaam.

Sign language interpreters were on hand to ensure the faithful with hearing impairments followed the proceedings.

The rite of beatification began with Sister Linda from the Consolata Order reading Sister Irene Stefani’s biography, followed by the decree read by Cardinal Pengo in Latin and restated by Cardinal Njue in English.

The beatification decree was read as written and signed by Pope Francis from St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on May 13.

At 10.55 am, the big announcement came and it was received by loud ululations, cheers and claps from the crowd – Sr Irene Stefani was now Blessed Irene Stefani.

The event was symbolically marked by rolling down of a canvas as the choir broke into a song titled, Ni Baraka, meaning ‘it is a blessing’.

After the two-minute beatification rite, the mass continued with the responsorial psalm led by the Catholic Women Association. The gospel was read at 11.26am.

At 11.28 am, Cardinal Njue rose to give the Word, quoting from the first reading drawn from Isaiah 52:10. He described service to humanity as exemplified by Sister Irene Stefani as service to God.

“Beatification is an enthusiasm to proclaim Good News both in and out of season,” Cardinal Njue said, urging the congregation to make Christianity attractive for others to proclaim.

At the close of his message, he challenged the congregation to emulate Blessed Irene in their daily lives, “so that people get to know, love and serve God”.

The prayers of the faithful were read at 11.59am.

No offering was taken; this will be done today during the mass at the Nyeri Cathedral.

Next came the proclamation for peace then the holy communion was served from 12.33pm by priests.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was the first to be served as other congregants queued to share in the Lord’s Table.

Large crowds

Given the large crowds, the Holy Communion took 25 minutes as the choir churned out tunes in various languages.

The final prayer was offered by Cardinal Njue at 1.02pm.

The relics of Blessed Irene were then handed over to Gikondi Parish priest Charles Ndirangu.

After Cardinal Njue rose to declare the mass had come to an end, speeches from government officials began.