“No one after lighting a lamp covers it or hides it. Rather he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light”, said Rev. Fr. Juan Carlos Silva in relation to the life of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini
On August 7, 2023, on the occasion of commemorating the 19th anniversary of the passing of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini, three activities were carried out in Caracas, Venezuela. On Saturday, August 5 at 11:00 a.m. many members of the Betania Spirituality Movement and friends of the Servant of God gathered at the Eastern Cemetery to bring flowers and pray the Rosary. The occasion was propitious for one of her daughters, Eng. Maria Gracia Bianchini Gebran, to address the people with heartfelt words, inviting everyone to be strong in the face of vicissitudes, to pray the Rosary, to do Eucharistic adoration, to confess and receive the Eucharist, in order to be strengthened in their faith.
Mass was officiated in the Sanctuary Our Lady of the Candles – Dr. Jose Gregorio Hernandez on Sunday, August 6 at 12:00 m. During the homily, Rev. Fr. Gerardino Barracchini, Vicar for Holiness, expressed the importance of supporting Venezuelan causes for holiness. Finally, Mrs. Maria Inmaculada Bianchini Gentile gave a brief testimony on the life and work of her mother, the Servant of God Maria Esperanza, which was met with warm applause.
On Monday, August 7 at 12:00 m. another Eucharistic celebration was held to honor the Servant of God, this time with the participation of the Hon. Bishop Georges Kahhale, Melkite Greek Catholic Exarch Bishop in Venezuela; Rev. Fr. Gerardino Barracchini, Vicar for Holiness; Rev. Fr. Juan Carlos Silva, Provincial Judicial Vicar and Parish Administrator of the Cathedral of Caracas; Rev. Fr. Emilio Mata, Vicar for Youth Ministry and Rev. Fr. Orlando Gonzalez, Parish Priest of Saint Joseph of Los Altos. During his homily, Fr. Silva reflected on the teachings left by the Servant of God Maria Esperanza: The supreme value of sharing with heroic actions even in the midst going through hard times, “so, this testimony should be proclaimed to the entire Church, spread throughout Venezuela and beyond, because it is fair to remember that the Betania Spirituality Movement has crossed borders, lifting up the name of Venezuela and Betania.”
