Blessed Sister Irene Nyaatha’s relics placed in church

Fr Martin Mwangi of the Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese and Sister Serafi na Sergi lead a procession to Mathari Central Chapel to take relics of Blessed Sister Irene Nyaatha Stefani, Saturday. [PHOTO: JOB WERU/STANDARD]

NYERI: Hundreds of Catholic faithful yesterday trooped to Mathari Pastoral Centre in Nyeri County to celebrate Blessed Sister Irene Nyaatha Stefani’s first memorial feast.

And to cap the day, a monstrance containing first class relics of the late Italian nun was installed at Mathari Central Chapel, where pilgrims will view it and present their intentions, prayers and wishes.

The monstrance was sent to Kenya this week by the postulator of the cause of Beatification of Blessed Nyaatha in Rome, Father Gottardo Pasqualetti, and it will be installed on a wall in the church which hosted the remains of the nun since 1996 when they were exhumed.

A 600-member choir performed at the event, as groups of pontifical missionaries children presented well choreographed dances.

Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Peter Kairo conducted the service, assisted by Archdiocese Coordinator of Liturgy Fr Elias Mutahi, postulator of the Cause of Beatification in Kenya, Fr Peter Githinji and other priests.

The service was held at a dias, which was used during the May 23 beatification at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology grounds.

Archbishop Kairo announced that the Pope’s visit organising committee has confirmed that he will use the altar - which is more than 100 years - to celebrate mass at the University of Nairobi grounds during his visit. Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi and Deputy County Commissioner John Marete attended the event.

“There were requests for the Pope to visit Nyeri but he will have a very tight schedule, and instead, the altar which we used during Sister Nyaatha’s beatification will be taken to Nairobi for Pope Francis to use it,” he said.

Kairo’s sentiments came after Ms Murugi asked whether Pope Francis will visit Nyeri.

Fr Githinji noted that the monstrance with the relics will be installed permanently at Mathari Central Chapel for pilgrims and faithful to have a chance to relate with the nun.

“Father Pasqualetti sent the relics and we will carve a groove within the church where we will install it next week,” said Githinji. After the service, Fr Martin Ndegwa and Sister Sergi led a procession to the church, about 200 metres away where they placed the monstrance on the altar.

During the service, the clergy and leaders called on Kenyans to build strong family ties to ensure a stable country.