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Kenyans flock to beatification of Italian nun Irene Stefani Irene Stefani beatification draws Kenyan crowds
(1 day later)
Catholic pilgrims are flocking to the central Kenyan town of Nyeri for the beatification of an Italian-born nun. Tens of thousands of Catholic pilgrims have attended the beatification in the Kenyan town of Nyeri of Italian-born nun Irene Stefani.
Sister Irene Stefani went to Kenya in 1915 and worked as a nurse at British military hospitals during WW1. Sister Stefani went to Kenya in 1915 and worked as a nurse at British military hospitals during WW1.
She then settled near Nyeri where she was known as "Nyaatha", meaning "mother of mercy" in Kikuyu. She then settled near Nyeri where she was known as "Nyaatha", meaning "mother of mercy" in the Kikuyu language.
Tens of thousands of people are expected in Nyeri for three days of beatification ceremonies which take the nun a step closer to becoming a saint. Nyeri has held three days of beatification ceremonies, taking the nun a step closer to becoming a saint.
The BBC's Anne Soy in Nyeri says there has been great activity in the town with roads painted and street lights fixed ahead of the influx of visitors. Tanzanian Cardinal Polycarp Pengo on Saturday read a letter of beatification in Latin from Pope Francis, declaring that the sister "from now on will be called Blessed".
Africa news updates Kenya's Daily Nation said up to 100,000 people were in attendance, with millions more watching on live television.
How does someone become a saint?How does someone become a saint?
The ceremonies begin with a Mass and vigil on Friday afternoon, our reporter says. The BBC's Anne Soy in Nyeri says there was great activity in the town, with roads painted and street lights fixed, ahead of the influx of visitors.
Pope Francis will not be attending Saturday's beatification Mass, when the nun, who died in 1930 at the age of 39, will be declared "blessed". The ceremonies began with a Mass and vigil on Friday afternoon, she says.
According to the Irene Stefani website, the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, will read out a letter from the Pope and Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi, will preside over the beatification Mass - to be attended by many dignitaries including President Uhuru Kenyatta. Pope Francis did not attend Saturday's beatification Mass.
On Sunday, Sister Stefani's remains, which were exhumed in 1995, will be taken from the Mathari Memorial Chapel to a new tomb at Nyeri Cathedral. Sister Stefani died in 1930 at the age of 39.
On Sunday, her remains, which were exhumed in 1995, are to be taken from the Mathari Memorial Chapel to a new tomb at Nyeri Cathedral.
British military officers will oversee the burial as a mark of respect for her work treating soldiers in Kenya and Tanzania during World War One, our reporter says.British military officers will oversee the burial as a mark of respect for her work treating soldiers in Kenya and Tanzania during World War One, our reporter says.
For a person to be beatified there must be verification that a miracle has occurred as a result of them praying to the candidate after they have died. For a person to be beatified, there must be verification that a miracle has occurred as a result of people praying to the beatification candidate after they have died.
In 1989 almost 300 people who were taking refuge in a church during Mozambique's civil war prayed to the nun and much-needed water was said to have appeared in the font at Nipepe church.In 1989 almost 300 people who were taking refuge in a church during Mozambique's civil war prayed to the nun and much-needed water was said to have appeared in the font at Nipepe church.
"It was enough for all of them to drink, to refresh themselves and even to bath a baby girl who was born in that occasion," the Irene Stefani website says."It was enough for all of them to drink, to refresh themselves and even to bath a baby girl who was born in that occasion," the Irene Stefani website says.