Sister Ida Lagonero, a nun who played a crucial role in preparing Pope Francis’ visit to Kenya, passed away on June 16, 2024, at the age of 82.
She reportedly, died of a heart attack in her bed at the Dimesse Sisters of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (FMI) Kangemi community.
Born on September 12, 1942, in Padova, Italy, Sister Ida spent 57 years of her life in Kenya.
During her time in Kenya, she worked in various places in the Nyahururu Diocese and the Archdiocese of Nairobi.
She worked at Manunga Catholic Church in Nyahururu before moving to North Kinangop Catholic Parish.
Additionally, she had a stint at the Nunciature in Nairobi before proceeding to St. Joseph the Worker Kangemi Parish, where she started the community of Dimesse Sisters.
Sister Ida Makes the Pope’s Robes
Sister Ida is best known for her role in making the vestments worn by Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to Kenya.
When the Vatican confirmed Pope Francis’ visit Kenya, women from the Dolly Craft center based in Kangemi asked to honor the pope with three handmade vestments.
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The Vatican approved the request, and the women began to sew under the supervision of sister Ida.
Sister Ida’s team worked tirelessly to ensure the vestments were made to perfection. They designed the vestments to reflect the Pope’s Jesuit origin and African designs.
They also made those used by hundreds of priests and dozens of bishops during the Papal Mass on November 26, 2015.
How Sister Ida Lived Her Life
Sister Ida’s life was marked by her commitment to her faith and her community.
She spent many years serving in various capacities, always putting the needs of others before her own.
Sister Ida was also known for her love for Christian families and initiated numerous projects in her Congregation to uplift the poor and promote family values.
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Furthermore, she also possessed a deep love for Africans and the African way of life which was made evident by her efforts to learn the Kikuyu language.
She reportedly become fluent in it even preferring to communicate in the language when handling official matters.
Sister Ida’s legacy will continue to inspire and motivate others to follow in her footsteps, and her memory will be cherished by those who knew her.
She will be laid to rest on Monday, June 24 at Hope Centre in the Diocese of Nyahururu.
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