Beatification of Sr. Irene Stefani in Nyeri: Sister Irene Stefani’s beatification will be going down in Nyeri, Kenya on May 23, 2015 where Stefani will be declared a saint. Who is Sister Irene Stefani and why is she being declared a saint after she has died.

Who is Sister Irene Stefani?

Sister Irene Stefani was born on the 22^nd of August 1891 in the village of Anfo (Brescia), Italy. She was well known at her home town as Aurelia Jacoba Mercede. Stefani joined the Consolata Missionary sisters 20 years later after her birth. In 1915, she was sent to Kenya by Blessed Joseph Allomano for missionary works.

In Kenya, Sister Irene Stefani served as a nurse where she helped in treating the injured and sick during world war. This made the locals to nickname her Nyaatha” Nyina Wa Tha meaning Merciful person.

On 31^st October 1930, Sister Irene Stefani died at Gikondi, Mukurweini, Nyeri after contracting a disease from one of her patients.

You can read more about Sister Irene Stefani here

Why beatification for Sr. Irene Stefani?

Beatification is the respect accorded by Catholic Church to dead persons for their entrance into heaven. In 1985, Sister Irene Stefani was recognized as a servant of God. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI declared sister Stefani a hero who lived to serve humanity. In 2014, Pope Francis accepted the miracles attributed to Stefani’s intercession which marked the journey to her beatification.

Which miracles did Sister Irene Stefani perform?

It is believed that Sister Irene Stefani did several miracles but one of them which has been proved to be true is that one in Mozambique. Sister Irene Stefani ‘s miracle in Mozambique involved multiplication of the water of the baptismal font in the Diocese of Lichinga, Mozambique to serve catechists gathered for a training course. The water was also available to serve all the refugees in the church for 3 and a half days during the hottest period of the year.

Check back for our subsequent post for photos of sister Irene Stefani’s beatification in Nyeri, Kenya.