On Sunday, July 23, 2017, hundreds of pilgrims gathered in the Sanctuary of Betania to welcome the Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima, who came from Portugal, in the centenary of her apparitions. After praying the rosary and before the Eucharistic celebration, the inauguration of a beautiful monument donated by the Betania Foundation took place. It was built to honor the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal and her visit to Venezuela.
His Excellency Bishop Ovidio Perez Morales, Bishop Emeritus of Los Teques, who presided at the solemn Mass, described this visit as a blessing for the people of Venezuela: “In an important and decisive moment for the country, the presence of the Virgin guarantees the protection and divine help that God grants through her intercession. By his love He extends his powerful, loving and merciful arm upon this land and people, upon this country that needs so much of his light and divine fortitude, so all of us may unite in him in order to continue forward.” Bishop Raul Bacallao, Vicar General of the diocese of Los Teques, Father Jhonfer Camacho, Rector of the Sanctuary and other priests attended as concelebrants at Mass.
This great spiritual sharing also included the participation of the Betania Choir, the Choir Our Lady of Coromoto, the Miranda State Band, the “Os Pastorinhos” Theater Group and the Cultural Foundation Folkloric Group “Cantinhos da Madeira”. Members of the Betania Foundation gave the Pilgrim Virgin a commemorative plaque and distributed rosaries to the pilgrims, and at 4:00 p.m. all together said goodbye to the Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima with songs and a heart full of love.
