“For the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him. He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly” (Lk 1:49-52).
“The Betania Foundation is a manifestation of the Lord’s mercy for this generation, presenting itself as a salvation and consolation lifeline, and a safe refuge. The Lord has worked wonders in us. He has truly given us witnesses of the light, and you all are witnesses of that light because of the experience you had with the Servant of God Maria Esperanza, for the experience we had with Mr. Bianchini, for the family experience and the experience of God that is becoming clearer. Truly, the mercy of God is poured out from generation to generation and He works wonders for those who fear him”, these were Fr. Juan Carlos Silva’s words on Thursday, April 19, 2018, in the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, located in Lomas de La Lagunita, in Caracas, during the Mass in thanksgiving for the 39th anniversary of the Betania Foundation and the 37th anniversary of the Betania Choir. Father Orlando Gonzalez also participated in this Eucharistic celebration and told the members of the foundation and of the choir that he had found joy and happiness in their hearts. He also highlighted the work of the choir, which brings joy and evangelizes through its music.
Betania a little piece of Heaven on Earth
That same week, in the Sanctuary of Betania, on Sunday, April 22, 2018, a joyous and beautiful celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Betania took place, since this year March 25th was Palm Sunday, the date to celebrate this feast was postponed. After an hour of adoration, mariachis, the rosary in procession with the original statue of Our Lady Reconciler of All Peoples carved in wood, a Mass was presided by the Bishop of Los Teques, Bishop Freddy Fuenmayor; in the company of the rector of the sanctuary, Father Jhonfer Camacho; the Vice-postulator of the cause of beatification of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza de Bianchini, Fr. Timothy Byerley, who traveled from the United States especially for this occasion; and many seminarians. The Betania Choir participated during Mass under the direction of Prof. Maria Auxiliadora Bianchini Leon. The sanctuary was impeccable with beautiful flower arrangements, worthy of the Mother of God. Then, the Bianchinis offered the prelates and seminarians a delicious lunch that ended with the birthday song and cake for the Mother of God, under her title of Reconciler of All Peoples.
Father Byerley, who has researched in depth the events in Betania since 1999, during an interview with the media, when asked about the Servant of God Maria Esperanza, he answered: “Maria Esperanza was the main protagonist here (Sanctuary of Betania), she was the person that the Virgin took as her messenger, to proclaim and announce this message of reconciliation. Maria Esperanza was a woman endowed with many mystical gifts, but above all, with many Christian virtues, that is why we are trying to show the world how we can live as a lay person but in a very holy way. When the world, Venezuela or anyone is provided with the opportunity to study the life of Maria Esperanza, they will discover a new way to follow the Gospel and practice the virtues of the Gospel.”
Fr. Byerley ended the interview by saying that it was possible for humanity to be reconciled when it accepted the Gospel in its entirety, Jesus as the Savior, and applied the message of reconciliation and fraternal unity to live as brothers and sisters throughout the world, because we all are brothers and sisters, members of the human family.
