To invoke God’s aid is the first step of his mercy toward us, says Pope Francis. In this extraordinary Jubilee Year in which His Holiness has invited everyone to become aware of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, the Betania Foundation (Private Association of the Faithful, Community Betania I) humbly follows the example of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini, who fought for the children, the poor, and for those who did not know God, under the bridges of Caracas, in hospitals, in the Sanctuary of Betania, or wherever the Lord would lead her, in order to give them something to eat, to clothe them, and teach them the catechism and how to pray.
Inspired by this spirit, planted by the Servant of God Maria Esperanza, her biological and spiritual children follow in her footsteps.
On Sunday, November 29, 2015, the Betania Foundation made its ninth Christmas visit to the Dermatological Hospital Martin Vegas (known as the Leper Colony) and to the Home for Disabled Children of the Sisters of Charity, both in Vargas State. They shared Mass and invited the patients and hospital staff to have a brunch, and in both locations they gave out provisions and the Betania Choir shared its Christmas music.
On Saturday, December 19, 2015, as in previous years, the Betania Foundation carried out the distribution of 400 toys to the underprivileged residents of areas near the Sanctuary of Betania.
On Saturday, January 16, 2016, once again members of the Betania Foundation in collaboration with members of the Opus Dei of the Holy Family of Nazareth and St. Josemaria Esriva Balaguer Church, carried out the distribution of 140 bags of food to the neighboring communities of the Sanctuary of Betania.
