The traditional solemn opening of Holy Week, to remember the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, will be March 20, 2016, on Palm Sunday. The Betania Choir will participate in the solemn Mass celebrated by Father Juan Carlos Silva in Saint Rosalia Church, in Caracas at 11:00 a.m. At the same time, the activities at the Sanctuary of Betania on Palm Sunday, will begin at 8:00 am with confessions. The blessing of palms will be at the main entrance of the sanctuary, followed by a procession to the chapel. At 11:00 a.m. Father Jhonfer Camacho, the Vice Rector of the sanctuary, will celebrate the solemn Mass of Palms. Another Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m.
For Easter Monday, March 21, 2016, at 10.30 a.m., Father Camacho has invited the faithful to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Los Teques.
On Holy Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the Easter activities in the Sanctuary of Betania will continue until Easter Sunday. Confessions will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the Eucharist will be at 11:30 a.m.
On Holy Wednesday, March 23, 2016, the Betania Choir will accompany the celebration of Mass at the Holy Family of Nazareth and St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer Church at 6:30 p.m., followed by the procession of the Nazarene at the square. As for the Sanctuary of Betania, confessions and a living Stations of the Cross will be held at 9:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:30 a.m. to honor Jesus the Nazarene. This Mass will be celebrated by Father Camacho followed by a 3:00 p.m. procession and veneration of the image of Jesus the Nazarene.
On Holy Thursday, March 24, 2016, the Triduum: Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, begins. There will be confessions at 9:00 a.m. and catechesis on the priesthood. At 12:30 p.m. there will be catechesis on the Eucharist. At 2:00 p.m. the solemn Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper will be celebrated by Father Jhonfer, followed by the washing of the feet.
The commemoration of the Lord’s Passion is on Good Friday, March 25, 2016. Confessions will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Stations of the Cross will start at 10:30 a.m. and at 1:00 p.m. biblical catechesis will take place. At 2:00 p.m. there will be a reflection on the Seven Words, which refer to the seven last phrases spoken by Christ during his Crucifixion before his Death. This will be accompanied by the music of the Betania Choir. At 3:00 p.m. begins the commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, the distribution of Holy Communion and the adoration of the Cross.
This year marks 40 years since the first apparition of the Virgin to the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini in Betania, on March 25, but since it is Good Friday, the anniversary cannot be celebrated. For this reason, the feast will be held on Sunday, April 10 at 12:00 pm. Bishop Freddy Jesus Fuenmayor, Bishop of the diocese, will visit the sanctuary to preside over the celebration with Father Jhonfer Camacho and other priests, which will also be accompanied by the Betania Choir, under the direction of Professor Maria Auxiliadora Bianchini Leon.
On Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016, the Betania Choir will participate in the Easter Vigil in Saint Ann Church, in La Lagunita at 6:30 p.m. with Father Numa Rivero. In the Sanctuary of Betania, confessions will start at 10:00 a.m. and biblical catechesis at 11:00 a.m.
Holy Week ends in the Sanctuary of Betania, on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. with a the Holy Hour of Adoration and procession of the Blessed Sacrament. There will be confessions and the holy rosary beginning at 9:00 a.m. The celebration of the solemn Mass for the Resurrection of the Lord and the Blessed Sacrament procession will be at 11:00 a.m. and another Mass of Resurrection will take place at 2:00 p.m.
