Catholics to celebrate 10th anniversary of Sister Nyaatha's beatification

Catholics are set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Sister Irene ‘Nyaatha’ Stefani, known for her commitment to serving the marginalised and the poor.

Father Peter Githinji, who coincidentally grew up in Gikondi village, has been the lead researcher and Nyeri Catholic Archdiocesan postulator of the Nyaatha beautification process.

Also nicknamed Nyaatha, Fr Githinji noted that the nun's extraordinary way of life earned her the term 'secretary to the poor' as she always had time for the people she interacted with, regardless of age, class or tribe.

"When I was growing up, I used to hear people talk about Sr Irene Nyaatha, but I did not know one day the stories would be part of my life in such a profound and deep way," he said.

He said the 10th anniversary of the beatification of Nyaatha will be celebrated on October 10.

Nyaatha was known to the residents of Gikondi village in Mukurwe-ini where she served as a missionary for ten years from 1916.

An Italian-born Catholic, she took her religious vows on January 29, 1914, at the age of 20 and was sent to Kenya in 1915.

Whilst in Kenya, she joined sisters and priests who had been called to assist the wounded and the sick in hospitals and camps in Kenya and Tanzania during World War I.

She was among the first young women to be enlisted in the congregation of the Consolata Missionary Sisters, founded by the Blessed Joseph Allamano.

The name ‘Nyaatha’ is a Kikuyu word for ‘one that has mercy’, locals nicknamed her because of her enduring acts of mercy and compassion to the poor and sick at Gikondi.

Fr Githinji explained that Nyaatha’s journey to sainthood consists of three distinct stages, Servant of God, Beautification and Canonisation, and so far, she is at the second stage.

The first step began with the concerned members of a Catholic mission, who were captivated by extraordinary accounts, taking the compelling case to Rome.

"In 1985, after the case was presented to the church in Rome, investigations began on the good deeds of Sister Irene. People claimed that she was a compassionate individual who lived among the poor and consistently offered solutions to their numerous problems,” he said.

Fr Githinji said that a letter dubbed nihil obstat, which is Latin for 'no obstacle' was issued that showed that Nyaatha had good deeds that paved the way for the first step to sainthood by recognising she was a 'Servant of God' and people were allowed to pray through Nyaatha’s intercession.

“Sister Irene was given a go-ahead by Rome to show that she was in heaven and people can pray through her intercession to God,” he said.

He recounted that in 2014, the first miracle was reported, where 300 people, including a pregnant woman experiencing the onset of labour, sought refuge inside a Catholic Church in the Nampepe region of Mozambique and faced severe shortage of drinking water.

“The group found themselves without any drinking water, for three days, then the priest revealed the existence of Sister Nyaatha and encouraged them to implore her for divine intervention. They fervently prayed to Nyaatha, and the baptism fountain was filled to the brim, saving the group from thirst,” he said.

Fr Githinji said that after the miracle, a delegation was made for Nyaatha to get into her second stage by Pope Francis, who sent Cardinal Polycarp Pengo to read the decree of beatification in 2015.

“Nyaatha became the first person to be beatified in a ceremony in Africa, making the ceremony historical to the faithful,” he said.

He revealed that the process of canonisation, is at its peak, and Nyaatha’s relics are well protected and are periodically moved to various deaneries within the Archdiocese to gather miracles attributed to Nyaatha.

“The artifacts are well protected, with 24-hour surveillance in secure areas within the churches, the seal is intact and will only be opened when she becomes a saint," he said.

Fr Githinji noted that as a testament to her enduring impact, a towering 7-story building now graces the Nyeri town, standing as a symbol of remembrance and honour for Nyaatha.

“There are many schools, institutions and children named after her, and I urge people to continue reporting miracles,” he said.

He said it takes time for an individual to be named a saint, and they were awaiting communication from Rome on the fate of Sister Nyaatha.

"We cannot rush these things, there is a procedure that takes time, and as we plan for our 10th anniversary of Sr Nyaatha's Beautification on October 30, this year, we encourage more people to share any miracles they have experienced through her," he said.