On Thursday, September 6, 2018, forty-seven members of the Betania Foundation and the Betania Choir, headed to Guanare, State of Portuguesa, Venezuela, under the direction of the Bianchini family organization and the spiritual guide of Father Orlando Gonzalez, to celebrate the 366th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady of Coromoto.
At 6:30 p.m., after travelling seven hours by land, and once they were lodged at the inn, they went to Saint Clare’s Monastery, where they participated at the first Eucharistic celebration of the pilgrimage, officiated by Father Orlando which was accompanied by the music of the Betania Choir.
The group stayed in the House of Spirituality of Our Lady of Coromoto, where it participated at a second Mass, on Friday, September 7, at 7:30 a.m. officiated by Father Javier de La Roca, on the occasion of the 122nd anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. Sisters Ana Maria, Lucrecia and Maria, from the community of Guanare, shared this Eucharist, sweetened by songs of the Betania Choir.
Then they went to the Minor Basilica National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Coromoto, to attend another Mass in the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, located inside the sanctuary. At 11:30 a.m., with the participation of the Betania Choir, Father Orlando began the ceremony.
In the afternoon, they visited the Park The Apparition where Maria Coromoto Bianchini shared the story of how the Blessed Virgin manifested herself in that place to the Indian Chief Coromoto. At 7:00 pm the Betania Choir sang at the Cathedral of Guanare, and Maria Inmaculada Bianchini Gentile, Maria Esperanza Bianchini Foley and Maria Coromoto Bianchini Marrero shared their experiences of how they saw Our Lady Reconciler of All Peoples and Nations in Betania on March 25, 1984, leaving a beautiful message of hope, love and reconciliation.
Saturday, September 8, was the day of great celebration in the Basilica. The Mass was presided by the emeritus Bishop of Guayana, Jose de Jesus Nunez. During his homily he stressed on the importance of Our Lady of Coromoto and the family. Traditional indigenous dances performed by the group of the Cospes Indians of Tostos, the capital city of San Jose of Tostos parish in Bocono Municipality, State of Trujillo, were responsible for accompanying the entrance of the relic of Our Lady of Coromoto into the Minor Basilica. Their participation continued throughout the Eucharistic celebration, bringing great color and joy to the celebration.
