In recent months, Kenya has lost a missionary sister, who made an immense contribution to education. She was Sr Graziella Paladin, of the Consolata Sisters.
She came to Kenya just prior to Independence and was still active until shortly before returning to Italy in 2010 for medical treatment. She sadly died in July 2011. I would like to pay tribute to her memory and her work in education.
Sister was a Founder, a Principal and a teacher at a number of girls boarding schools in Kenyan dioceses, where Consolata Missionaries worked.
I first met her in January 1993 on taking up an appointment with CISRET (Centre for In- Service of Religious Education Teachers ). At that time, it was based at Nyeri Pastoral Centre and Sr Graziella lived at the Consolata Sisters Convent situated, nearby, within the Mathari compound.
She had been a tutor on the course for about a year before I came, and it was my very good fortune to work with someone who was so utterly committed to the training of teachers and who brought to CISRET, a whole lifetime of experience and skill, and many years of religious formation.
All of these she brought to the task, with great energy and dedication. Already advanced in age, when she could have taken things a bit easier, she immersed herself fully into the task. She did this, with a degree of energy and enthusiasm, rarely seen in someone much younger.
Living at Nyeri, one was conscious , of being in hallowed grounds. The Consolata Fathers came to Kenya in 1902. The Consolata Sisters followed shortly after. One lived in an awareness of the amazing pioneering work done by the Consolata. All round there were reminders of this: one of the earliest nurse-training hospital; the oldest printing press and print training school in Kenya; the Pastoral Centre; the Catechist Training Centre; the Parish Church and more.
Sister Graziella was steeped in its history and one could not ask for a better tour guide. At that time many of the older sisters of the Congregation were still living there in retirement. One felt in conversation with them, of being connected to a continuous living history.
During our time there, we were privileged to contribute with our Centre choir to the Solemn liturgy surrounding the re-interment of the remains of the Servant of God: Sr Irene Stefani, a Consolata Sister, to a shrine in the Parish Church at Nyeri.
Similarly we took part in the annual November Memorial Mass for the Italian prisoners of War, held in the Memorial Chapel, with the Italian Ambassador present and celebrated in Italian. At all these, Sr Graziella took a leading part in the organization. On occasions like that her special flair for decoration and ornament came fully to the fore.
Her contribution to the CISRET course was immense on many fronts: her lively faith and deep sense of vocation to teaching; her infectious enthusiasm, reliability and sense of humour. I suppose most of the teachers will remember her especially, for her great artistic ability. She was particularly skilled in the production and use of visual aids. She did a lot to help teachers discover their own talent and helped them to develop it.
Our move to Tabor Hill Nyahururu in 1996, called for a further degree of self-sacrifice on her part, as it meant her moving from her Mathari community. She did this for a further six years at Tabor Hill without complaint.
The superb hospitality given us by the Dimesse Sisters and Paduan Fathers, did much to make our time at Tabor, a very happy one.
A particular highlight at Tabor Hill, was the celebration of Sr Graziella’s 50th Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession in 2002, attended by Bishop Davies and led by Bishop Panti with very many priests, religious sisters and laity present.
In 2006 the Silver Jubilee of the CISRET course was celebrated and Bishop Davies, its founder was present along with most of the Kenya bishops. Sr Graziella received special acknowledgement at this ceremony, having been the longest serving religious sister on the staff of CISRET, since its foundation in 1982.
On retirement after her 50th Jubilee , Sr Graziella went back to Nyeri and once more took up an apostolate with the poor in Mathari and with visitation and instruction classes for the prisoners at Nyeri Prison. She had a wonderful proficiency both in Swahili and in Kikuyu which gave her instant connection with all people.
During this time, she was instrumental in helping the prison, to have its own chapel for Mass and instruction. It was funded by her Italian family and friends.
Archbishop Peter Kairo of Nyeri during the 100th celebration of the Founding of the Consolata Sisters, gave special honour to Sr. Graziella as “a living example, of one, who at the age of 81 was still engaged in ministry”.
She was a friend to the famous recently deceased Wangari Mathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who was from nearby Tetu, and who was present at the 100th Celebration.
Sometime in 2009 Sr Graziella was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. She responded well for many months but in 2010, her condition deteriorated. She retained interest and enthusiasm right through her illness.
I look back on almost 20 years of close association with Sr Graziella. I know that she is very fondly remembered by many, especially the thousands of students taught by her. I join them in giving thanks for the privilege of knowing Sr Graziella Paladin.
May God rest her noble soul.
Fr. Nicholas Motherway (St. Patrick’s Fathers)
nickmotherway@gmail.com
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