She won the fight and finished the race

Today is a historic day in Kenya, a big day for Africa. Fortunately, this day is made great not by a political event, but by the selfless devotion of a nun, to the service of humanity. Her deeds of charity, many decades ago, have turned world attention on Kenya.

The beatification of Sister Irene Stefani, fondly known as Nyaatha, in Nyeri today enters the annals of history as the first such event to happen on African soil. Kenya is the beneficiary of a decision by the Vatican to hold beatification and canonisation ceremonies in the countries where those approved by the Catholic Church for this rare honour lived and died.