Pilgrims from all over Venezuela were present to enjoy this dear feast and the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, which was attended by the Auxiliary Bishop of Caracas, Bishop Enrique Parravano, who together with the Rector of the Sanctuary of Betania, Father Jhonfer Camacho, and Father Enrique Jose Yanez concelebrated Mass.
After praying the Holy Hour, they led the holy rosary in procession with the original statue of Our Lady Reconciler of All Peoples and Nations carved in wood, and then proceeded to the celebration of the Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Parravano thanked the prelate for inviting him: “Due to the invitation Bishop Freddy Fuenmayor, bishop of the diocese of Los Teques, extended me, I preside this Holy Eucharist with great joy. As Bishop, it is my first Eucharistic celebration here in the Sanctuary of Betania, place of the manifestation of Our Lady Reconciler of Peoples. The peculiar aspect of this solemnity is that we commemorate the 41st anniversary of the beginning of a Marian devotion in this holy place, called to honor and venerate Our Lady in this blessed land.”
As for the Annunciation, the bishop emphasized that “through the ‘yes’ of Mary we contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation. Therefore, we cannot fail to see Mary to fill ourselves with astonishment, gratitude and love, as we contemplate how God, entering into this world, has shown us that his kingdom can come among us, but for this He needs our generous, free and trusting ‘yes’, like that of Mary”.
He invited everyone to remember that “God is with us”, when feeling alone, tired, with difficulties, or in the middle of a crisis and about to throw in the towel.
After Mass, he thanked the Bishop; the Rector; the Sisters of the congregation Mother of the Savior, High and Eternal Priest; the Betania Foundation for their collaboration with maintenance and logistics, and asked for an applause for the Betania Choir, after saying: “We are delighted when you participate during the celebration.”
The commemoration culminated with a tasty lunch shared by members of the Bianchini family, the Betania Foundation and the Betania Community, and with the birthday song to the Our Lady Reconciler of All Peoples.
