Irene Stefani, born Aurelia Mercede Stefani in 1891, was an Italian nun belonging to the Consolata Missionaries. After taking her first vows in 1914, she traveled to Kenya in 1915 to begin her missionary work. During her service, she worked as a nurse for the Red Cross and eventually served as the superior at Gikondi for eight years. She died in 1930 after contracting the bubonic plague while serving her community.
Life and service
After joining her religious order in 1911, Stefani dedicated her life to missionary work in East Africa. She provided medical assistance as a Red Cross nurse and held a leadership role at the Gikondi mission. Near the end of her life, she performed the sacrament of baptism for 3000 people. Her death occurred in 1930 due to the bubonic plague.
Veneration and legacy
Following a miracle attributed to her in 1989, she was beatified by Cardinal Polycarp Pengo in 2015. She is honored within the Catholic Church, with her feast day observed on 31 October. A shrine has been established at Gikondi to honor her memory and service.