Historical account of the Betania Foundation

Venezuela – Since 1979

 

Sello Fundación BetaniaThe “Civil Association Betania Foundation” was constituted on April 19, 1979 by Mrs. Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini, as its President-Founder. On June 14, 1979, the first great event of the inauguration of the Betania Foundation took place at the Club La Lagunita and on November 24, 1981, what was called the “Gran Vinada” was held in the Quinta Campo Claro in Campo Alegre, offering a press conference for the “Civil Association Betania Foundation”. Mrs. Maria Esperanza was accompanied by her husband, Mr. Geo Bianchini, and her children who shared together with a great number of guests. Mrs. Maria Esperanza addressed everyone with the mission the institution had.

To summarize, the Betania Foundation is a social, apolitical and a non-profitable civil association, which carries out works to serve man. The mission of this social work is the new construction of human rights. It is a community project with the prime base of striving for a world of true sharing among men, without discrimination that cares for a greater union between men, and of men with God. To put into practice these objectives will be to put into effect the divine commandment of “love one another as I have loved you!” The foundation also has the objective of teaching and spreading the message that the Blessed Mother under the title of Mary, Virgin and Mother Reconciler of all People and Nations has given Mrs. Maria Esperanza, in Finca Betania, Venezuela.

From the beginning, the above-mentioned general objective has been enforced through the following areas or departments:

1.  Spiritual Education
2.  Construction
3.  Music, Arts and Culture
4.  Audiovisual and Advertising
5.  Public Relationships and Special Events
6.  Assistance Activities
7.  Agricultural and Cattle Breeding Activities
8.  Service and General Maintenance
9.  Youth, Education and Sports
10.  Tourism/Pilgrimages Activities and Information
11.  Protocol and Logistic
12.  Urban Embellishment

In this sense, some activities of this apostleship that have taken place will be described, in regard to the different departments:

1. Spiritual Education

  • Education about Christian moral, values, virtues, deeds of mercy and the sacraments
  • Gatherings for the reading and meditation of the Holy Bible in general and the Gospel every Sunday
  • Gatherings for the reading and meditation of the messages of Our Blessed Mother given to Mrs. Maria Esperanza de Bianchini in Finca Betania, which were given to the Bishop of the Diocese
  • Gatherings for the reading and meditation of the life of the saints
  • Invitation to the members of the Betania Foundation, family, and friends to assist to Holy Mass and to participate in the devotion of the first Friday’s and Saturday’s of the month
  • Invitation to the members of the Betania Foundation, family, and friends to participate in the following devotions: Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, daily holy rosary, novenas to Our Lady under different titles, novenas to the Saints, the chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Eucharistic Thursdays
  • Prayer of the holy rosary to specially plead for the intentions of the Holy Father the Pope, and for Our Lady to intercede for particular cases of sick friends, of people who are undergoing family problems, and other cases referred to Mrs. Maria Esperanza  and her family
  • Organization and direction of the holy rosary on weekends in Finca Betania during the decades of the 70s and 80s
  • Spiritual retreats for the members of the Betania Foundation carried out by: Jesuit priests, the Daughters of St. Paul, charismatic groups, etc. during the decade of the 80s
  • Spiritual retreats for the members of the Betania Foundation carried out by: Father Ivan Mora, Carmelite Priest, at the Retreat House “Cristo Rey” of the Sisters “Esclavas de Cristo Rey” and Morin area of Betania, 2008
  • Spiritual retreat with the parish communities of Caracas by members of the Youth Department of the Betania Foundation, at the Salesian Novitiate “Sagrado Corazon de Jesus” in San Antonio de los Altos, Miranda State, 2009
  • Spiritual retreat with the youth groups of Betania I and Betania X in Finca Betania, 2010, 2011
  • Spiritual retreat with the Opus Dei for the youth of the Betania Foundation, in the Church “La Sagrada Familia de Nazaret”, La Tahona, 2011
  • Information and spiritual guidance for the pilgrims of Finca Betania and religious, political, artistic, and scientific personalities
  • Informative talks about the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania in 18 schools of the Valles del Tuy, Miranda State, from February to May, in the year 2002
  • Retreats and talks in Finca Betania to groups of different educational institutions, in order to reinforce their catechism for their First Holy Communions and Confirmations
  • Visits to institutions, universities, and seminaries in the country, in order to give talks about the apparitions and the messages of Our Lady in Finca Betania
  • Foundation, and spiritual support of the new Marian Center “Marian Community, Betania II” in Medway, Massachusetts, USA, which is based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, established in May of 1997
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania III” in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, USA, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in July, 2008
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania IV” in Los Angeles, California, USA, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in February, 2008
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania V” in Miami, Florida, USA, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in June, 2008
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania VI” in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in June, 2008
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania VII” in Lima, Peru, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in June, 2008
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania VIII” in Rome, Italy, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in May, 2008
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania IX” in Madrid, Spain, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in October, 2005
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania X” in Glassboro, New Jersey, USA, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in August, 2008
  • Foundation, and spiritual and ideological support of the lay community “Betania XVI” in Vandalia, Illinois, USA, with the purpose of serving the Holy Catholic Church and neighbors in general, based on the principles and regulations of the Betania Foundation, in November, 2011
  • Evangelization missions in different cities of Venezuela and the world to give testimony of the apparitions and the messages of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania. The trips were made by Mrs. Maria Esperanza, accompanied by Mr. Geo, her family, and other members of the Betania Foundation, invited by the respective Bishops of the Dioceses, from 1991 to 2004
    • 1991, (Oct.) in Maracaibo and Cabimas in Venezuela, in churches, hospitals, companies, theater and club, offering a total of 10 public presentations (speeches and interviews)
    • 1993, (Apr.) in Lowell, first for a retreat called “Be Reconciled” and then in (Sept.) for “A retreat experience Betania, Venezuela” and a speech in a church, (Apr.) in Framingham for a speech in a convent and church, (Sept.) in Evans City for a retreat called “A retreat at the Farm” and (Sept.) in Long Island in USA for a speech in a church; and (Jul.) Toronto, Quebec and Marmora in Canada for a tour called “Tour of Reconciliation” and speeches in churches and the university, for a total of 15 public presentations (speeches and interview)
    • 1994, (Feb.) in Tampa for a conference called “A Family Day with Maria Esperanza de Bianchini”, (Apr.) in Birmingham for a televised interview at EWTN and speeches at the monastery, (Apr.) in Valley Forge for a conference called “An Evening with Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini”, (Apr.) in Philadelphia for speech in church and television and radio interviews, (Sept.) in Cleveland for a conference called “1994 Cleveland Marian Conference” and speech in church, (Sept.) in Media for the premier of a video called “Time for Mercy” and speech in church and television interview, (Oct.) in Lacey for a conference in the university, and (Oct.) in Trenton in USA speech in church; and, (Nov.) in Assisi and Rome in Italy in church and conference room, offering a total of 22 public presentations (speeches and interviews)
    • 1995, (Apr.) in Phoenix for a conference called “Spirit of Betania” and speeches in churches, theater and conference room, and television interview, and (May.) Auriesville in USA speech in church; (Jul.) in Lima in Peru for a tour called “Una mision de amor y reconciliacion” and speeches at a stadium, theater, Miraflores Street and church, and press and radio interview; (Jul.) in Guayaquil in Ecuador for speeches at the coliseum, seminary, chapel, conference room, and television and press interview; (Nov.) in Jerusalem, Bethany, Tiberiades, Mount Tabor and Tel Aviv in Israel for speeches in churches and conference room; and, (Nov.) in Rome in Italia for speech in conference room, offering a total of 35 public presentations (speeches and interviews)
    • 1996, (Jun.) in Maracaibo in Venezuela for speech in the hospital, church and residence; and, (Nov.) in Cherry Hill for speeches in churches and conference rooms; and radio interview; and (Nov.) in Philadelphia for television interview in USA, offering a total of 10 public presentations (speeches and interviews)
    • 1997, (Apr.) in Midvale, Provo for speeches in churches; (May.) in Framingham for speech in Betania II and church; (May.) in Saxonville for the “Marian Community Commitment Ceremony” event, (May.) in Buffalo for speech in church, (Jun.) in Patterson for speech in “Sub-kitchen Kathy and Bill Simon”, (May.) in South Bend for a conference called “1997 National Conference Medjugorge University of Notre Dame”; (Jul.) in Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a conference called “A Day with Maria Esperanza” and speeches at churches and theater; and television interview, (Aug.) in Butler Farm for a conference called “Retreat at the Farm XIV. Maria Esperanza comes to Butler Farm Show Grounds” and speeches at a residence, (Oct.) in Lowell for a conference called “Jesus Christ, Lord and Bridegroom of the Church” and speeches at conference room and theater, (Oct.) in San Diego in USA for speeches at high school; and, (May.) in Toronto and Windsor in Canada for speeches in theaters and churches; and press interviews, offering a total of 35 public presentations (speeches and interviews)
    • 1998, (Feb.) in Rome in Italia for a private audience with His Holiness Pope John Paul II and speeches in conference rooms and churches; (May.) in Edmonton and Glevenis in Canada for a conference called “Eucharistic & Marian Conference ’98”; (Jun.) Cayman Islands in B.W.I. for a conference called “Hope” in church, offering a total of 9 speeches
    • 1999, (Apr.) in Medford, Bricktown, Merchantville, Glassboro, Reading for speeches in churches, the university and a residence; (May.) in Betania II, Framingham, Milford for speeches in a convent and conference room; (Oct.) in Medford, Bricktown, Glassboro, Merchantville and Howellship in USA for speeches in residences, churches and the university; and, (May.) Rome in Italy for speech in a conference room, offering a total of 13 speeches
    • 2000, (Jun.) in Buenos Aires and Lujan in Argentina for a tour called “Una mision de amor y reconciliacion” and speeches at a residence, parish house and churches, and radio interviews; and, (Sept. and Oct.) in Medford, Ardsley, Riverton, South Plainfield, Perth Amboy, Medford Lakes in USA for speeches in churches and residences, offering a total of 13 public presentations (speeches and interviews)
    • 2001, (Feb.) in Moorestown for speech in a church; (Aug. and Sept.) in Totowa, Bronx and Serenity Hills in USA for visit and speech in convents, and a press interview, offering a total of 3 public presentations (speeches and interview)
    • 2004, (Jan.) in Bronx for a speech at a convent; (Mar.) in Medway and Boston for speeches in Betania II and church; and in Newark in USA for speech in church, offering a total of 3 speeches

 

  • Evangelization missions that the Bianchini family, together with other members of the Betania Foundation, continue offering in different cities of Venezuela and the world, to give testimony of the apparitions and the messages of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania, invited by the respective Bishops of the Dioceses:
    • 2004, (Oct.) in Medway in USA for a conference called “Be Reconciled” and Los Teques in Venezuela in a church, offering a total of 16 speeches
    • 2005, (Feb.) in Los Angeles for a conference called “Let’s Reconcile” and (Oct.) Long Beach Island in USA for a speech in a church; and, (Mar.) in Los Teques, Barinas, Calabozo, San Juan de Los Morros for speeches in churches and stadium, (Nov.) Maturin and Barrancas in Venezuela for speeches in churches and y seminary, offering a total of 21 speeches
    • 2006, (Mar.) in Los Angeles in USA for a conference called “Let’s Reconcile”; and (Mar.) in Valencia and Madrid in Spain for “V Encuentro Mundial de las Familias” and speech at church and interviews, offering a total of 13 public presentations (speeches and interviews)
    • 2007, (Nov.) in Long Beach Island in USA for speeches in church and (Oct.) in Guanare in Venezuela for speech in conference room, offering a total of 10 speeches
    • 2008, (Sept.) in Long Beach Island and Glassboro in USA for speeches in churches, offering a total of 6 speeches
    • 2009, (Jan.) in Glassboro and Williamstown (Betania X), Long Beach Island (Betania III) for speeches in church and at a residence, and radio interview; and (Sept.) Houston for a conference called “Un llamado a la santidad”, (Sept.) Medway (Betania II) in church for a speech and television interview; and in Long Island in USA for a conference called “A Day with Mary II”, offering a total of 8 speeches
    • 2010, (Jan. and Feb.) in Metuchen for the Opening of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Mrs. Maria Esperanza de Bianchini, Cathedral St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen; St. John Neumann Pastoral & Conference Center”, and in Haddon Heights (Betania XI) and Williamstown (Betania X), in New Jersey; Los Angeles (Betania IV), California, in USA; (May.) Medway (Betania II), Massachusetts, in USA.; (Aug.) in Miami (Betania V), Florida, in USA; (Oct.) in Buenos Aires (Betania VI), in Argentina, and Lima (Betania VII) and Chincha, in Peru
    • 2011 (Apr.) in Williamstown (Betania X), in New Jersey, USA; (Aug.) Williamstown (Betania X) and Haddon Heights (Betania XI), in New Jersey; (Oct.) Medway (Betania II), in Massachusetts; Miami (Betania V), in Florida, in Long Island (Betania XIII), in Bishop Kellenberg Mem High School for a conference called “A Day with Mary III” in New York; (Nov.) Rutgers’ University, Williamstown (Betania X) and Haddon Heights (Betania XI), in New Jersey; in Vandalia, Illinois, USA
  • Pastoral activities in the Chapel “Nuestra Senora del Carmen” in Lomas de La Lagunita every second Thursday of the month, since October 2004

 

2. Construction

  • Planning, design, and elaboration of construction projects in Finca Betania
  • Construction of the “Plaza Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal”, 2005
  • Acquisition and conditioning of neighboring properties from Finca Betania, 2006
  • Refurbishing and conditioning of the retreat house “Los Rosos de Betania”, 2007
  • Reconditioning of the children’s park, 2007
  • Construction of the “Plaza The Virgin of the Revelation”, 2008
  • Construction of the garden “Guardian Angel”, 2008
  • Construction of the “Plaza Our Lady of Lourdes”, 2008
  • Refurbishing and conditioning of the “Trapiche”, 2008
  • Design and construction of the Museum Refugio Mater, 2009
  • Refurbishing and conditioning of the dinning area of the “Trapiche”, 2009
  • Design and construction of the oratory replica of the “Holy House of Loreto”, 2009
  • Design, making and acquisition of 48 images for the Marian Titles Wall, 2009
  • Construction and planting of the Holy Cross at Mount Zion, 2009
  • Design, construction and conditioning of the Camping Area, 2009
  • Refurbishing of the educational center “La Escuelita”, in Marin, rural area of Betania, 2011

 

3. Music, Arts and Culture

  • Evangelization through music by the Betania Choir, directed by Prof. Maria Auxiliadora Bianchini de Leon, spreading the message of love and reconciliation, in an uninterrupted task since 1981 in: parishes, churches, hospitals, educative centers, homes for the elderly, homes for children, festivals, Papal Choir, Marian conferences, military headquarters and prisons, both in the country and abroad. The Betania Choir has reached countless people without regarding their social condition, creed, or race. Thus with creativity and fortitude it has served and supported our Catholic Church and her highest representative, the Holy Father the Pope
  • Endowment of headquarters, equipment, and uniforms for the Betania Choir by the Bianchini spouses
  • Musical participation in celebrations, such as: Holy Masses, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, Priest Ordinations, Investiture of Monsignors, Bishop Ordinations, Profession of vows for consecrated life, funerals, liturgy feasts, elevation of Shrines, image enthronements, diverse inaugurations, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, festivals, concerts, chants, theater plays, and special events
  • Presentations in different countries: Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, British Western Islands, United States of America, Canada, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and Israel
  • Recording and duplication of LP, cassettes, and CDs:
  • Song to a Mother, 1990
  • Betania, Light of the World, 1996
  • Ave Maria, 1999
  • Betania Choir’s Greatest Hits, 2004
  • “Navidad en Familia”, 2006
  • Audio recordings of the songs of the choir for each one of the voices of the Betania Choir, in order for the members to study
  • Launching and press presentation of the opening of the LP “Song to a Mother”, in the Hotel Tamanaco, March 1990
  • Organization of folkloric festivities in Finca Betania, such as: Carnival, Friendship Day, Christmas gift interchange, etc.
  • General singing courses for the members of the Betania Choir

 

4. Audiovisual and Advertising

  • Assistance by Mrs. Maria Esperanza de Bianchini, the Bianchini family, and members of the Betania Foundation to a number of interviews in televised and radio programs, as well as for written media, both in the country and abroad, in order to give testimony of the apparitions and the messages of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania:

 

Television:

  • “Venevision”, Channel 4 (Since 1988); “Radio Caracas Television”, Channel 2 (1990); “Globovision” (Since 2004); “Venezolana de Television”, Channel 8 (Since 2004); “Marte TV” (2004), “La Tele”, Channel 12 (2005), “TV Familia” (Since 2008), “Canal I” (2009), “Televen” (2009), “Telemundo Internacional”, in Venezuela
  • CNN (1990, 1991); Univision (1991, 2006); EWTN (1994); CBS, Channel 6 (1994); Channel 3 (1994); Fox 2 Kasa TV (1997); “Telemundo” (2003), “Primer Impacto” (2009), in USA
  • Channel 7 (1995), in Peru
  • Channel 12 (1995); ECUAVISA, Channel 2 (1995), in Ecuador
  • “Centro Televisivo Monastico CENTELMON TV” (2006); “TV Provincias de Valencia” (2006); “Televisas” (2006); “Antena 3 Television de Espana” (2006), in Spain

Radio:

  • “La Romantica FM Center” (88.9 FM), “Exitos de Union Radio” (99.9 FM), “Onda de Union Radio” (107.9 FM), “Radio Capital” (710 AM), “Magica” (99.1 FM), “Kiss FM” (101.5), “Radio Nacional de Venezuela” (91.1 FM), “Circuito X” (89.7 FM), RCR (750 AM), Radio Maria (1450 AM), Jazz 55 (55 FM), in Venezuela
  • WTMR 800 AM Radio (1990, 1996); WEWN Radio, Catholic Short Wave Radio (1994); 800 AM WTMR Radio (1994); 1360 AM Radio (1996), WEJS1260 AM Catholic Radio (2009), in USA
  • Radio Omega (1995); Radio Maria (1995), in Peru
  • 105.1 FM Radio (2000), in Argentina
  • WEJS1260 AM Catholic Radio (2009), in USA
  • Radio Cuba (2009), in Cuba

Journals:

  • “El Mundo” (Since 1984), “Ultimas Noticias” (Since 1984), “El Universal” (Since 1981), “El Nacional” (Since 1984), “Diario 2001” (Since 1984), “El Nacionalista” (1984), “El Siglo” (Since 1984), “Diario de Caracas” (Since 1990), Daily Journal (Since 1990), “Albonoticias” (Since 1995), “El Carabobeno” (Since 1999), “El Globo” (Since 1999), “La Calle” (1999), “El Tiempo” (1999), “Diario Los Andes” (Since 2000), “El Aragueno (Since 2000), “El Frente” (Since 2000), “El Pais” (2009), “Correo del Caroni” (Since 2000), “Signo” (2001), “Diario La Voz” (Since 2003), “Valles del Tuy” (2003), “Diario Vea” (Since 2004), “Meridiano” (Since 2004), “El Informador de Puerto la Cruz” (2004), “El Clarin de La Victoria” (2004), in Venezuela
  • Journal “Le Journal de Montreal” (1993); Journal of Toronto (1997), in Canada
  • Journal Mir-a-cle (1993); Journal Daily Herald (1997), in USA
  • Journal “El Comercio” (1995), in Peru
  • Journal “El Universo”, “Notinorte” (1995), in Ecuador
  • Journal “Paraula” (2006); Journal “La Razon” (2006), in Spain
  • Journal “El País” (2009), in Venezuela

Magazines:

  • Magazine “Diario de Caracas”, “Estampas”, “Dosier” (1984), “Autentico” (1984), “Momento” (1987), “El Expreso” (1999), Bohemia (1999), in Venezuela
  • Magazine “El Vistazo” (1995), in Ecuador
  • Magazine “Miracle” (1997), of the United Kingdom
  • Magazine “Sign of the Times” (1999), in USA
  • Magazine  “Mundo Crisitano” (2006) in Spain

Internet:

  • Web Site “www.spiritdaily.com” (2003, 2004), in USA
  • Web Site “www.focustvonline.com” (2009), in USA

Movie Companies:

  • Marian Communications, Ltd., 1989
  • France 2 Galaxie Production, Productions Pixcom, Aller Retour Productions and Amaya Films, 2000
  • Production and public presentation of videos related to the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania
  • Micro “Betania, Light of the World” in Spanish and English
  • Audiovisual “Reconciliaos”
  • Audiovisual “Apariciones en Finca Betania”
  • Audiovisual “Enthronement of Mary Reconciler in Finca Betania, 2008”
  • Audiovisual “Inauguración Museo Refugio Mater en Finca Betania”, 2009
  • Audiovisual “Inauguración del Oratorio Casa Santa de Loreto”, 2009
  • Audiovisual “30º Anniversary of the Betania Choir”, 2011
  • Printing and donation of booklets, pamphlets, and other material with information about the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania
  • Printing and donation of prayer cards
  • Printing and donation of cards commemorating different events
  • Manufacture and donation of religious articles, such as: medals, rosaries, and stamps
  • Printing and distribution of information through books, such as:
    • “Pastoral Instruction on the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania”, written by the Bishop of Los Teques, Monsignor Pio Bello Ricardo, Venezuela, 1987
    • Finca Betania, Venezuela. Latest Apparitions approved by the ecclesiastic authorities, besides Fatima, written by Father Jose Luis de Urrutia, Spain, 1988
    • The Age of Marian Apparitions, written by Father Valenta and others, USA, 1993
    • The Bridge to Heaven, written by Michael H. Brown, USA, 1993
  • Writing, editing, printing and distribution of books:

 

  • “Betania, a Little piece of Heaven on Earth” written by the Betania Foundation, Venezuela, 1990
  • “Maria Esperanza, Messenger of Reconciliation” written by the Betania Foundation, Venezuela, 2004
  • “The Pilgrim’s Manual, Shrine Finca Betania of the Holy Waters“written by the Betania Foundation, Venezuela, 2005
  • “The Column of Light”, written by the Bianchini family, Venezuela, 2006
  • Diffusion of information related to the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania and the Betania Foundation through Internet by:
  • www.betania.org.ve
  • www.mariaesperanza.org
    • Donation of computers for work related with the diffusion of information on the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania, and the life and work of Mrs. Maria Esperanza
    • Compilation, organization, updating and maintenance of the archives of the Betania Foundation
    • Compilation, transcription, and organizations of all the speeches Mrs. Maria Esperanza gave
    • Compilation and organization of the pictures and videos of the life of Mrs. Maria Esperanza
    • Compilation of the testimonies of the apparition of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania, for the ecclesiastical authorities to study, since 1984
    • Compilation of the testimonies of the life of Mrs. Maria Esperanza, for the ecclesiastical authorities to study since 2004
    • Compilation, organization, actualization and maintenance of press articles
    • General assistance to the Vice-Postulator and members of the Theological and Historical Commission for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini, with material from the archives of the Betania Foundation, 2010, 2011
    • The presentation of reports on the activities of the Betania Foundation to the ecclesiastical authorities, His Excellency Bishop Freddy Fuenmayor, 2010; and His Excellency Bishop Fernando Castro and Monsignor Carlos Rodriguez, 2011

 

5. Public Relationships and Special Events

  • Signing of the constitutive act of the Betania Foundation, in La Lagunita, on April 19, 1979
  • The first great event of the inauguration of the Betania Foundation at the Club La Lagunita, tea party and bingo, on June 14, 1979
  • Press conference for the Betania Foundation during the event “La Gran Vinada” at Quinta Campo Claro, in November, 1981
  • Spiritual and logistic support during the visit of Mother Therese of Calcutta to Venezuela by Mrs. Maria Esperanza de Bianchini, who was appointed as one of the hostesses, in August of 1982
  • Premarital talks to couples by the Bianchini spouses
  • Baptism, First Communion and Wedding dresses to members of the Betania Foundation if they were in need of them, and financial support regarding the expenses for the celebration
  • Proclamation of Finca Betania as a “Site of Tourism/Pilgrimages and Prayer for Venezuela and the World”, in August 23, 1992
  • Moral and spiritual support, planning, and resource assistance for Baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, Weddings, and Funerals; with the spiritual guidance of many priests, among them, Monsignor Pio Bello Ricardo, Bishop of Los Teques
  • Spiritual and personal support in the inauguration of the child with cerebral paralysis assistance center “Instituto Especial Bolivariano, Maria Esperanza” in Fuerte Tiuna, inspired in the service principles of Mrs. Maria Esperanza, in September, 2004
  • Eucharistic celebration of the anniversaries of the passing of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini since 2005
  • Support and baptism of the book “Betania, Pueblo de Dios”, written by Gustavo Carias, Venezuela, 2006
  • Approval of the Betania Foundation as a Private Organization for the Faithful, 2009
  • Declaration of Finca Betania as “Santuario Mariano Diocesano “Maria, Reconciliadora de los Pueblos” (Betania Sanctuary) by the Dioceses of Los Teques, by the Bishop, His Excellency Monsignor Freddy Fuenmayor, 2009
  • Logistic of the inauguration of the Museum Refugio Mater and the Oratory Holy House of Loreto, 2009
  • Participation in the sharing of the Archdiocesan Catechists, Parish Maria Auxiliadora, in Sarria, 2009
  • General support in the Opening of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini, in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, New Jersey, USA, 2010
  • Declarations under oath of members of the Betania Foundation before the Court for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini, at the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, USA, since 2010
  • Eucharistic celebrations of the anniversaries of the Opening of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza since 2011

 

6.  Assistance Activities

  • Recollection of clothes in good conditions
  • Distribution of supplies and food to the needy in Caracas
  • Distribution of supplies and food to the needy in the surrounding area of Finca Betania
  • Attention and visits to the sick, including homes for those with leprosy
  • First Aid attention and assistance to the pilgrims in Finca Betania
  • Distribution of medical supplies received from the United States of America
  • Distribution of baskets to low-income mothers

 

7. Agricultural and Cattle Breeding Activities

  • Planning, planting, control, and  distribution of sugar cane, cassava, tomatoes, vetiver, vegetables and fruit crops in Finca Betania

 

8. Service and General Maintenance

  • Cooperation with the maintenance and cleaning plan of the Betania Shrine and its surroundings

 

9. Youth, Education and Sports

  • Organization of walks and camping trips for the youth of the Betania Foundation
  • Rehearsal and presentation of plays with religious themes for the youth of the Betania Foundation
  • Planning and fulfillment of artistic activities with the children of the Betania Foundation
  • Elaboration of billboards and presentations of religious themes by the youth of the Betania Foundation
  • Student scholarships for children and youth of low income
  • Free distribution of Catholic Bibles
  • Free distribution of school books and supplies
  • Organization of sports tournaments of soccer, baseball, tennis, and other disciplines
  • Assistance to attend courses, such as: shoe making, rosary and religious articles manufacture, basket and ornament manufacture with vetiver, handling of ecological products for sowing, gold leaf usage, etc.

 

10. Tourism/Pilgrimages Activities and Information

  • Planning and organization of activities for the pilgrims of the country and abroad
  • General attention to the pilgrims during weekends in Finca Betania
  • Attention to the pilgrims and caring of the surroundings of Finca Betania with fixed groups conformed by members of the Betania Foundation, in the decade of the 90s
  • Diffusion of information related to the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Finca Betania and the Betania Foundation through Internet by:

 

11. Protocol and Logistic

  • Support to the Church during the days of vigil in Finca Betania:
  • Feast of Our Lady of “Candelaria”, February 1º until the next day
  • Anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin in Betania, March 24 until the next day
  • Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 12 until the next day
  • Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 15 until the next day
  • Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, August 14 until the next day
  • Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, October 11 until the next day
  • Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 7 until the next day

During times of Lent, the fulfillment of the following activities:

  • Preparation and establishment of the Stations of the Cross
  • Broadcasting of videos according to Lenten times
  • Planning and elaboration of receptions for pilgrims and personalities, above all for religious individualities

 

12. Urban Embellishment

  • Donation and maintenance of plants and fruit trees for Finca Betania
  • Donation and painting of the different edifications in Finca Betania
  • Planning, design, and elaboration of artistic projects in Finca Betania:
  • Sculptured mural of the Risen Christ
  • Sculpture of the Holy Family of Nazareth
  • Different sculptures of the Blessed Mother
  • Enamel paintings of different titles of Our Lady
  • Restoration of the sculptured mural of Our Lady of the Mercedes
  • Order of the marble statue of Mary Virgin and Mother Reconciler of all People and Nations in Carrara, Italy, for the grotto of Finca Betania, 2007
  • Design, order and installation of the Stations of the Cross for the Sanctuary, 2008
  • Design, order and installation of enamel painting of diverse images for the Sanctuary, 2008
  • Enthronement of the image of Mary, Virgin and Mother Reconciler of all People and Nations at the grotto of Finca Betania, with the presence of His Excellency Monsignor Freddy Fuenmayor, Bishop of the Dioceses of Los Teques, on March 25, 2008
  • Gold leaf biblical passages’ altarpieces, 2009
  • Design, order and installation of the ceiling lamps of the Sanctuary, 2009
  • Enamel painting of the Risen Christ, 2010
  • Design, order and installation of ten enamel paintings of images of the Virgin for the Sanctuary, 2011
  • Refurbishing of the area with plaques of gratitude to the Virgin in the Sanctuary, 2011
  • Design, order and installation of the stained glass window of the Most Blessed Trinity for the Sanctuary, 2011
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