CISA – Nairobi, Kenya.

“Let us continue to pray for an extraordinary miracle for the cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga”, declared Sr. Esther Ichugu IMF, Secretary of the Beatification Committee of Cardinal Otunga.

Prayer, gifts for the process and patience

Sr. Ichugu spoke at the Holy Family Minor Basilica in Nairobi on Monday during mass to mark the 18th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God, Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga.

The 13:00 Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop David Kamau, the apostolic administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. Bishop Kamau called for the continuation of the supplication for a rapid process of beatification.

“We, the Archdiocese of Nairobi, are the driving forces behind the process; let’s continue to elevate the process. Three things are expected of us: 1) prayer for an amazing miracle and for the process, 2) gifts for the process, and 3) patience.

The process must follow the standards and procedures of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome, ”said Sr. Ichugu

Cardinal Otunga is a model of heroic virtues

“As the Catholic Church of Kenya, we are privileged to have the Servant of God Maurice Michael Otunga as a model of virtues. He lived among us and lives today on his heritage of heroic virtues, ”she added.

Born on January 31, 1923 in the village of Chebukwa, in western Kenya, Cardinal Otunga died on September 6, 2003 at the age of 80. He served the Church for 53 years as a priest, bishop and cardinal.

Who can be a saint?

All Christians are called to be saints.

Saints are celestial people (officially canonized or not), who have lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their lives for others, or been martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation.

In the official procedures of the Church, there are three stages towards holiness: a candidate becomes “Venerable”, then “Blessed”, then “Saint”. Venerable is the title given to a deceased person formally recognized by the Pope as having lived a heroically virtuous life or having offered his life.

To be beatified and recognized as Blessed, a miracle acquired through the intercession of the candidate is required in addition to the recognition of heroic virtue or the offering of life. Canonization requires a second miracle after beatification.

The Pope can waive these demands. A miracle is not required before the beatification of a martyr, but one is required before the canonization.