On Saturday, March 25, 2023, the 47th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady Reconciler of All Peoples, better known as Our Lady of Betania, was celebrated
On the occasion of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the 47th anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Diocesan Marian Sanctuary of Mary, Reconciler of Peoples, His Eminence Cardinal Baltazar Porras presided over the Mass at 11:00 a.m. together with an important group of prelates from the Catholic Church, accompanied by the music of the Betania Choir, under the direction of Professor Maria Auxiliadora Bianchini Leon.
The Rector of the sanctuary, Reverend Father Antonio Alejandro Rivas Garcia, with the assistance of the Public Association of the Faithful Betania Spirituality Movement, coordinated the details of this magnificent visit, which also included bishops, priests and the large group of pilgrims that came to honor the Virgin.
The celebration began the day before, on Friday, March 24, with a meaningful Marian Retreat led by Father Enrique Yanes, with the songs of @emausmusica.
During his visit to the Sanctuary of Betania on March 25, His Eminence Cardinal Baltazar Porras invited everyone to share the joy of faith in shrines like Betania, finding in the countenance of Our Lady, the face of our neighbor. His Eminence commented that going to the Sanctuary of Betania, as well as to many other places in the country where there is devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, there “is certainly an oasis and the peace we need, to fill our minds and our hearts.” He referred to the sanctuary of Our Lady of Betania as a beautiful landscape on a hill in the Venezuelan plains that has its charm in the Encyclic Laudato si, and harmoniously unites everyone in a common house.
It was a joyous moment for all the parishioners present in the chapel of the sanctuary, when the Cardinal of Venezuela and Archbishop of Caracas, Baltazar Porras, during his homily said: “Only ten days ago, I was in Rome, both with the Holy Father and in the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints, and we submitted the request for the transfer of the Cause of Beatification of María Esperanza Medrano Bianchini, from the competence that the diocese of the United States currently has, that it pass to the Archdiocese of Caracas, so that our Vicar of Holiness, Father Gerardino Barracchini, who accompanied me on that occasion, together with all of you, may carry out the acknowledgement of the holiness we have at our side.”
The Communities of Betania around the world joined in the celebration of such a glorious day, by gathering around the Eucharistic table and sharing a meal together.
