Of the Venezuelan Bishops Conference, Bishop Georges Kahhale, Melkite Greek Catholic Exarch Bishop in Venezuela, celebrated Mass to honor the twelve years of the passing from this world of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini, the messenger of Our Lady of Betania.
During his homily, Bishop Kahhale expressed the joy he had of sharing with the big family of Betania; the widower of the Servant of God, Mr. Geo Bianchini; his children and members of the Betania Foundation. He highlighted the great work left by the Servant of God Maria Esperanza and the importance of her mission in these times, by saying: “This wonderful work, that now has extensions in many parts of the world, should live the joy of knowing Jesus better, and, in his name, work for his love among men.”
Father Timothy Byerley, from the US, as the Vice-Postulator of the cause of beatification of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza came especially to concelebrate this liturgy, with other Venezuelan priests. Father Byerley called everyone to follow the call of Our Lady Reconciler of Peoples confidently, and assured the present that with prayer a new world of love, and the victory of Our Lady and of Christ would be achieved: his love, his justice, his peace and his joy.
Mr. Geo Bianchini also said a few words to the large group of people, of Venezuela and other parts of the world, who attended this celebration. He spoke about the legacy his wife left, a “legacy of love” and a path that he has tried to follow and teach his children: “Every day I try to give a word that may be useful for the spiritual renewal of the souls that follow our path, the path of Maria Esperanza, which is the path of God.”
Father Juan Carlos Silva, of the parish of Santa Rosalia de Caracas, who also concelebrated this solemn Mass, quoted the passage from Matthew: “You will be able to tell them by their fruits” in relation to the fruit left by the Servant of God Maria Esperanza. “She lived the Gospel to heroic levels”, he said, and later added: “For this complicated historical moment in our country, Mary Reconciler of Peoples and Maria Esperanza, her messenger, emerge, as a sign of hope.”
