Emulate Sister Stephani, clerics tell Kenyans

NYERI: Colombian Bishop Francis Munera, a Consolata missionary who served at Loyangalani in Marsabit Diocese, described Sister Irene Stephani as a saint who lived a heroic life full of magnanimous virtues.

The prelate said the office of Saints in the Vatican admitted the reported miracle in Mozambique during the civil war in which people were hiding in church for days until hunger struck.

The Mozambicans then decided to use the water at the church's baptismal font and to their shock, it never dried up after they prayed through Sr Stephani intercession.

"She gave herself to the extreme condition even when she knew that it was going to cost her life. This is the life we must emulate, giving our lives for the sake of our friends," said Munera.

He said this during the three-day International Missionary Conference that came to a close yesterday in Nairobi, which is a build-up to tomorrow's beatification of Stefani, fondly known as 'Nyaatha', of the Consolata Missionaries in Nyeri.

And Kenyans have been asked to use her beatification to reconcile, forgive each other and remain united.

Father Stephen Okello, a lecturer at Catholic University of Eastern Africa, said the beatification should be used as a forum for the country and its leaders to reflect on Stefani, who was forgiving, peaceful, loving and caring.

"We are living in a country where people are at war with each other. Ethnicity and tribalism are the biggest challenges we are facing in Kenya. This beatification should be used to reflect on how to reconcile as Kenyans," said Fr Okello.