With Masses, the Rosary via Zoom and pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Betania, the opening of the cause of canonization of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini, visionary and messenger of Our Lady of Betania, was rememorated.
On January 30, 2022, the celebration began with an international Rosary via Zoom, which ended with the presentation the opening of the cause of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Medrano Bianchini video that took place on January 31, 2010. Members and friends of the 22 Betania Communities of the world participated. On January 31, at 5:00 in the afternoon, parishioners and friends gathered at Santa Rosalia Palermo Church, in El Hatillo, Caracas for the Mass officiated by Fr. Angel Rios. During his homily, Fr. Rios recalled Fr. Timothy Byerley’s words at the opening ceremony of the cause: “Mrs. Bianchini always had – and still has – a tremendous love for priests, and this had nothing to do with their personalities, whether they were charismatic or not, she just saw Christ in them.”
On February 1, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Candles – Dr. Jose Gregorio Hernandez, there was a beautiful vigil Mass for the feast day of their patroness, which began with the meeting and the procession of the statues of Our Lady Reconciler of Peoples (Our Lady of Betania) and Our Lady of the Candles. At the end of the Mass, Fr. Gerardino Barracchini prayed for reconciliation in Venezuela, in the family, and among governments and nations. On February 6, at the same sanctuary, the Eucharist was celebrated to promote the cause of the Servant of God. Mass was presided over by Fr. Barracchini, Rector of the sanctuary and Episcopal Vicar for Holiness. To conclude, another member of the Betania Foundation shared her experiences next to the Servant of God. All these events were accompanied by the music of the Betania Choir.
Meanwhile, following the teachings and example of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza, and above all, putting into practice her great legacy of evangelization, of spreading the Word of God, and of giving support to the Church and her prelates, members of the Betania Foundation received a number of pilgrimages at the Sanctuary of Betania and Finca Betania. This was how many pilgrims were welcomed in Betania: On January 22, a group of 84 led by Fr. Orlando Gonzalez, from the San Jose de Los Altos Parish, Miranda State; on February 2, another group of 45 with Fr. Alexander Castro from San Cayetano, Caracas; and on February 5, 70 young adolescents and 30 collaborators with Fr. David Blanco for a Confirmation retreat, from Santa Rosa de Lima, Charallave, Miranda State.
As Fr. Byerley has expressed: “We feel deeply touched by the ways of divine providence and we continue to feel uplifted by the life of Maria Esperanza.”
