Selfies take centrestage as Sister Irene’s beatification enters homestretch

A faithful in prayers in front of Sister Irene Stefani’s altar at Our Lady of Consolata catholic cathedral in Nyeri town on May 2015. Catholic faithful flocked Mathari Old Chapel where her remains have been interred for a special mass and proceeded to take for selfies. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI 

In Summary

• This being the first beatification in Kenya's and Africa's history, the faithful did not hesitate to take photographs and selfies at the special alter where her remains have been kept.
• Some using their phones and other with cameras, they first held individual prayers besides the alter and later took photographs.

By BONIFACE MWANGI
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With three day remaining towards Sister Irene Stefani’s beatification, Catholic faithful today flocked at the Mathari Old Chapel where her remains have been interred for a special mass.

The faithful prayed and asked God to make the day a success as they also prayed for the last miracle to happen in the name of the Italian nun so that she can be declared a saint.

This being the first beatification in Kenya's and Africa's history, the faithful did not hesitate to take photographs and selfies at the special alter where her remains have been kept.

Some using their phones and other with cameras, they first held individual prayers besides the alter and later took photographs.

The mass was being conducted by Father David Mucheke.

Workmen install a city clock at the Baden Powell tower along Kanisa street in Nyeri town in the ongoing beautification of the town in preparation for Sister Irene Stefani's beatification ceremony on May 20, 2015. The original clock was vandalised and has not been fixed. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI

PLASTIC CLOCK

Meanwhile, a town clock that had been constructed and set by late King George in Nyeri town and later vandalized on March 17, 2013 by a man after its parts to sell as scrap metal, has been not been repaired by the county government of Nyeri.

Both hands of the clock that were made of bronze had also been recovered from the same man but the county government never replaced it.

However, today the clock that is strategically placed at junction between Kimathi and Kanisa Streets was replaced with a plastic one.

Traffic police and the county government on Wednesday marked the roads that will be closed and those that will be used so as to control the flow of traffic during the three day event that will start on Friday to Sunday.

They have also marked designated areas for parking vehicles about two kilometres away from Nyeri town.

However, public service vehicles will not be interrupted and will continue operating on their usual routes while picking passengers at terminus.

Traders hawking goods on the streets of Nyeri will on Saturday and Sunday be kept away to avoid traffic jam.

On Friday there will be a vigil mass at Gikondi Catholic Church in Mukurweini where Sister Irene used to work and live.

And on Saturday, which is the D-day, a mass and the main ceremony will be held at Dedan Kimathi University’s ground while on Sunday her remains will be moved from Mathari to Our Lady of Consolata Cathedral Church through a procession.

Here, they will be interred in a bullet-proof glass made alter which will be used to conduct the mass