The Newsletter July – August – September 2018 I Volumen 07 No. 29 of the Betania Foundation
Words of the Vice-President of the Betania Foundation Dear brothers and sisters, Perseverance in the values of the message of family unity, the holiness of marriage and love between spouses in communion with the Church, are the call made by the Servant of God Maria Esperanza, with the example of her life and sacrifice. With this in mind, we celebrated Mass on August 7, the date of the 14th anniversary of her passing. Also in response to the call she made us to visit the sites of Marian apparitions, in order to prepare our souls, and to receive the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Betania Foundation went on a pilgrimage to Guanare, a city in the plains of Venezuela, to honor Our Lady of Coromoto, its patroness. Her festivity is on September 8th, a day that commemorates her apparition to an Indian, leaving him her beautiful image, which is a living manifestation of the Virgin. May God bless you, Maria Coromoto Bianchini Marrero
Commemoration of the 14th On August 7, 2018, in the Eastern Cemetery Chapel, located anniversary of the passing of the in La Guairita, Caracas, members of the Bianchini family, Betania Foundation and friends of the Servant of God Maria Servant of God Maria Esperanza Esperanza Medrano Bianchini, messenger of Our Lady of Betania, went to the Mass in memory of the 14th anniversary of her passing.
Father Timothy Byerley, Vice-Postulator of the cause of beatification of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza, presided over the Eucharist in her honor, accompanied by Father Juan Carlos Silva, Father Ramon Vinke and Father Orlando Gonzalez. The Betania Choir touched everyone’s heart with its songs, during Mass. August 22nd, 1976
Father Byerley said in his homily: “If there has been a time 1:30 p.m. when the world has needed a message of reconciliation and brotherly love, it is now; if there has been a time when the world Extracto de mensaje de la needs the message of the family unity, of family holiness, of Santísima Virgen a la Sra. the holiness of marriage, of the holiness of conjugal love, it is now. Maria Esperanza sacrificed herself for all these intentions María Esperanza de Bianchini and walked in total unity with her beloved Catholic Church, so much so that, she gave her life for her.” Little daughter, when all men Priests and family paying tribute to the Servant of God Maria Father Tim closed his speech by telling everyone they “had Esperanza on earth come to carry their inherited the mission to walk beside the Church, to proclaim cross with love, there shall be no the message of reconciliation, fraternal unity and family healing, so society could be renewed”. more pain or weeping, for they shall live rising each day with my Beloved Son in a constant and lively: Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah! Visiting the Beautiful Lady On Thursday, September 6, 2018, forty-seven members of the Betania Foundation and the Betania Choir, under the Bianchini family organization and the spiritual guide of Father My little daughter, I wish for you Orlando Gonzalez, traveled to Guanare, Portuguese State, to make them feel the worth of to participate in the celebration of the 366 years of the first prayer and the importance of my apparition of Our Lady of Coromoto, patroness of Venezuela. new apparition as Reconciler of All Peoples and Nations, The group stayed at the House of Spirituality of Our Lady of for under this title they shall Coromoto, where it participated in a Mass officiated by Father find essential and determinant Javier de La Roca, on the occasion of the 122nd anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation Servants of the Blessed conditions to prepare their Sacrament. Sisters Ana Maria, Lucrecia and Maria, from the souls to receive the grace of community of Guanare, shared this Eucharist, sweetened by the Holy Spirit… through the the songs of the Betania Choir. communication and the visits of Our Lord, through faith, for faith The group visited the Minor Basilica National Sanctuary of is the basis of Christianity… and Our Lady of Coromoto. On September, 8th they attended the increasing that same faith shall great celebration on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady make them seek, with sincere Pilgrimage of the Betania Foundation to Our Lady of of Coromoto. The Mass was presided over by the emeritus Bishop of Guayana Jose de Jesus Nunez. love, Our Father and the Heart of Coromoto my Divine Son with mine! SERVANT OF GOD MARÍA ESPERANZA
Words of the Vice-Postulator Reflections of the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini Dear Family of Betania, Speech by the Servant of God Maria Esperanza Bianchini On the 14th anniversary of Maria Esperanza’s Nautical Club, Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela passing, I believe that if there has been a time when the world has needed a message of reconciliation October 23rd, 1991 and fraternal love, it is now; if there has been a time when the world needs the message of family unity, of family holiness, of holy marriages, it is now, and Maria Esperanza sacrificed herself for all these intentions and walked in total unity with her beloved Catholic Church, so much so that she gave her life for her.
We know that she always prayed and offered her life for priests, bishops, nuns, the Holy Father, but particularly in 1995, when Saint John Paul II was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and Maria Esperanza said that the world could not lose the Holy Father, she, in spite of the great love she had for her family, made an extremely radical Christian decision, she offered her life to God for him.
In the history of the Church several saints have done this, but in a particular way we know that this happened with Maria Esperanza. The Betania Foundation has inherited the mission to walk beside the Church, to proclaim the message of reconciliation, fraternal unity and the healing of the family, to renew society.
Many Blessings, Fr. Tim Byerley Vice-postulator
PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MARIA ESPERANZA Mary in these times has come to Venezuela, because she came approximately three Merciful Father, You blessed Maria Esperanza with an abundance of spiritual gifts hundred years ago - almost four hundred years ago - to Guanare. She appeared to an for the consolation of your people. She served You aswife, mother, and missionary Indian and she left him her beautiful and stunning image, radiant like the sun. People to promote the unity of the family and the reconciliation of all peoples. You enabled were converted. She helped those Spaniards, priests, the religious who were in her to be the central figure in the manifestations of the Virgin Mary, under the title of Reconciler of all Peoples and Nations, in Betania. Grant us the grace to follow Venezuela, so they could understand the value of the Heart of a Mother, of the Mother her example of humility, hope, and unconditional love. Through the intercession of God, and our Madre. of your servant, Maria Esperanza, we pray for the healing and reconciliation of our families, and for the fraternal unity of the entire human family. Especially, we And thus, it was then when our Mother filled the hearts of so many souls in Venezuela. beseech You to grant us the favors we now request (mention your intentions here) Our country grew, it advanced. At the moment, it has a great population with much through the merits and prayers of your servant. Likewise, we humbly implore that culture, education, there are schools, there are beautiful things here, but also there is she be inscribed in the Church’s catalogue of saints, as a universal model of the much social injustice, and this is what touches me, what hurts me in the heart. But for this beatitudes.We pray all this according to your holy will, cherished by your servant reason, Mary Reconciler of all People has come; she has come to look for us, to teach until the end, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. us, to lavish her love on us. […]. With the ecclesiastical approval of Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski of Metuchen, New Jersey, December 4, 2009 Thus, Mary Reconciler appeared in Betania on March 25, in 1976, there in a humble and small place, but full of very beautiful and splendid sweet-sugar-cane plantations. It is all For more information or to report a miracle go to: www.mariaesperanza.org and/or so beautiful! It has a gorgeous cascade, which is there with its waters, that day and night www.betania.org.ve come to clean us, to bathe us making us better in life, to cure our problems of the body and soul, and to do away with our sadness and tribulation.
Chronological Data Spiritual Maxims of the Servant of God on Maria Esperanza Maria Esperanza Bianchini
• From October 1st to 4th, 1981, a youth retreat was held with young adults from the • Venezuela has been called. We have a Mother, Our Lady of Coromoto, the patroness of Betania Foundation and the Andres Bello Catholic University, with Father Alvaro our people who has called us. She used an Indian so he could receive that burning faith for La Casta. the people. And in these times, she appears as the Reconciler of all Peoples and Nations to enkindle that faith, not only in Venezuela, but in the whole world. • Mrs. Bianchini was in Betania celebrating the day of Our Lady of the Pillar. • Venezuela has been chosen for one of the highest missions: the reconciliation of • On December 8, 1981, the Bianchini - Medrano couple celebrated their 25th peoples and nations. You will remember this, there will be no other word but: reconciliation, wedding anniversary, accompanied by their relatives, friends and members of the reconciliation. Remember this. Betania Foundation. That day they received a very special gift from Dr. Guiso, a glove of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. • Betania is the blessed formula of love of the children of God. As time elapses you will realize this, for the special motivation of Betania will be convincing, because the Blessed Mother in her divine splendor will make herself felt very soon. Everyone will see her just as they saw her in her apparition in 1984.
02 www.betania.org.ve / www.mariaesperanza.org COMMUNITIES OF BETANIA AND THE CHURCH
Betania V celebrates its 10th anniversary Examination of conscience
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the foundation of this community at the request of Mr. Bianchini. We thank Jesus and Mary for the gift of being part of the great family of Betania in the world. We thank the Servant of God Maria Esperanza and her husband for their unconditional dedication to this mission of love and reconciliation, which benefits families and the whole world. We ask the Lord to give us the gift of perseverance to fulfill with love His Holiness Pope Francis and responsibility everything He asks of us, in order to continue Pope Francis, during the Mass celebrated on Tuesday, September on this path that brings so much 4, in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, stressed on the importance of good to all of us who participate making an examination of conscience to know what happens in the in these meetings. The Bianchinis and the Cannons heart and to be able to be moved by the Holy Spirit and not by instinct: Throughout these years we have “We are not animals, we are children of God,” he said. “The heart of been able to experience how in the community we have become closer to man is like a battlefield, where two different spirits confront each each other. This unity is manifested through support in time and prayer when other; one is that of God, which leads us to good works, to charity, to one of our members is going through difficult times. Our first apostolate fraternity and the other is that of the world, which pushes us towards continues to be our family, as the Servant of God Maria Esperanza taught vanity, pride, sufficiency, gossiping. [...] We must fight to make room us and then those who are closest to us. By the grace of God, we continue to for the Spirit of God and to drive away the spirit of the world, and a have the spiritual support of Father Theodore Ihedoro of Emmanuel Parish. He tries to participate in all the meetings that his obligations allow him to. daily examination of conscience helps to identify temptations, to We pray that he may soon visit the Sanctuary of Betania, along with all those clarify how these opposing forces work.”* members of the community who can make a pilgrimage.
Julie and Percy Cannon * VATICAN NEWS. (2018). Pope at Mass. 09-04-2018. Holy See, Vatican. Representatives of Betania V Taken from: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa- marta/2018-09/pope-francis-homily-daily-mass-examination-conscience.html
AGENDA
Concerts San Jose de los Altos Church, San Jose de los Altos Bethlehem School Chapel, Los Palos Grandes Eastern Cemetery Chapel, La Guairita July 14, 2018; 3:00 p.m. August 18, 2018; 3:00 p.m. September 14, 2018; 2:00 p.m. Holy Mass, visit of the relic of Blessed Carmen Rendiles Holy Mass Holy Mass Our Lady Mount of Carmel Chapel, Lomas de La Saint Clare Monastery Chapel, Guanare, Portuguesa Sanctuary of Betania Lagunita September 6, 2018; 6:30 p.m. September 15, 2018 July 16, 2018; 6:00 p.m. Holy Mass Holy Mass and presentation, festivity of Our Lady Holy Mass, festivity of Our Lady Mount of Carmel of Sorrows, pre-inauguration of Our Sorrowful House of Spirituality Our Lady of Coromoto Chapel, Mother’s square Holy Family of Nazareth and St. Josemaria Escriva de Guanare, Portuguesa Balaguer Church, La Tahona September 7, 2018; 7:30 a.m. Holy Family of Nazareth and St. Josemaria Escriva July 21, 2018; 11:30 p.m. Holy Mass, 122nd anniversary of the Congregation of de Balaguer Church, La Tahona Holy Mass, thanksgiving for graduates of the Monte the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament September 23, 2018; 11:30 a.m. Avila University Holy Mass, last day of the novena of General Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the Minor Hector Franceschi Saint Anne Church, La Lagunita Basilica National Shrine Our Lady of Coromoto, Guanare, Portuguesa July 26, 2018; 6:30 p.m. The Annunciation of the Lord Church, La Boyera September 7, 2018; 11:30 a.m. Holy Mass, festivity of Saint Anne September 30, 2018; 12:00 m. Holy Mass Saint Teresa Basilica, Caracas Holy Mass, closing of the festivities in honor of July 28, 2018; 11:00 a.m. Guanare Cathedral Our Lady of Coromoto Holy Mass, first Mass of Father Eduard Rueda September 7, 2018; 7:00 p.m. Presentation Eastern Cemetery Chapel, La Guairita August 7, 2018; 2:00 p.m. Saint Clare Monastery Chapel, Guanare, Portuguesa Holy Mass, 14th anniversary of the passing of the September 8, 2018; 6:30 p.m. Servant of God Maria Esperanza Medrano Bianchini Holy Mass www.betania.org.ve / www.mariaesperanza.org 03 AGENDA
Events Sanctuary of Betania Residence La Estancia del Senor, Alto Hatillo Sanctuary of Betania July 5, 2018 July 22, 2018; 4:00 p.m. August 25, 2018; 10:00 a.m. Spiritual Retreat, Father Enrique Yanez Betania Foundation Youth Meeting Liturgy of the Word, hour of adoration and holy rosary Completion of the work: 1.6 Km crop connective road Saint Anne Church, La Lagunita Minor Basilica National Shrine Our Lady of Coromoto, July 18 and 29; August 5, 12 and 23, 2018 July 24, 2018; 9:00 a.m. Guanare, Portuguesa Reactivation of the Youth Department Soccer Team, Betania Foundation Spiritual Retreat, Father Jesus September 8, 2018; 11:00 a.m. now Betania Futbol Club Godoy Solemn Mass, festivity of Our Lady of Coromoto
Pilgrimages Trip August 4, 2018; Parish Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Members of Betania I, Venezuela San Juan de los Morros, Guarico; religious of the September 6 to 9, 2018 Congregation Servants of the Blessed Sacrament Pilgrimage to the Minor Basilica National Sanctuary and members of the Emmaus Movement, Los of Our Lady of Coromoto, Guanare, Portuguesa Chorros August 25, 2018; group of employees of INFRA, CuA
PETITIONS
Petitions of the Communities Urgent intentions: Betania I: Father Armando, Javier Machado, Eddy, Arrevillaga family, Joan Martins, Let us pray for the necessities of our Holy Church and of the world, and Spera family, Perez family, Gabi, Mauro Burgos, Liliana Chacón, Batista family, Koreily especially for our brothers and sisters who have the following requests: Rodriguez, Carmelina Pena, Barbara, Luis Yovera, Leopoldo Pena, Mery Souto and In thanksgiving: Ricardo Hernandez. Betania V: Sister Denise Montagne. Betania VI: Manina, Milagros, Lizette Lugo, Coco Urrutia, Tibisay Alzuarge, Jessica Ball, Jose Machado, Manina, Soto Ines Susini and Alonso. Betania XIII: Fino Giordano. Betania XVI: Allison. family and Vanessa Keck. For the health of: Special Intentions: Betania I: Father Pedro Campos, Edgar Del Pino, Richard Raouik, Carlos Perez, Rodrigo Reyes, Kathy Chebly, Javier Gomez, Herminia Paiva, Allan Silva, Francisco Manrique, · For the entire Church, Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, all the bishops, priests Martin, Francisco Lazo, Joaquin Stewar, Jesus Sanchez, Belkis Granda, Anibal Mejia, and religious that form part of our Betania family, especially those who work for the Cause Gabriela Chumaceiro, Aaron, Janide Moron, Claudio Arce, Mauricio Urrutia, Claudia, of Maria Esperanza. Natividad, Mercedes Prato, Carlos, Ezequiel, Marilina, Ali Nava, Mercedes, Cintia, · For the religious who are persecuted, for those who have doubts. Gabriel Rafael, Rosa Sanchez, Alfonzo, Angelina, Juana Evangelista, Katiuska Guevara, · For the Cause of Beatification of Maria Esperanza and for Father Timothy Byerley who Henry Gomez, Jhony Vasquez, Amy Livingston, Leopoldo Pena, Giovanni Schelza, gives it impulse. Jose Gomes, Marybeth Schelza, Oswaldo Pino, Mauricio Urrutia, Maria Jose Duarte, · For all the Communities of Betania around the world. Ligia Echeverria, Eva, Gabriel Molina, Gaby, Daniel, Antonieta Pugliesi, James, Isabella, · For priestly and religious vocations. Gilberto, Rafael, Harry Madenfrost, Alex Succar, Denia Salazar, Ana, Mary Agnes, Olga, · For the rulers of all the countries of the world, and for those who have political and Celina Castro, Ledzabeth, Marylina, Gustavo Ramirez, Joaquin Chumaceiro, Diego economic power, so they may all have the well-being of the nations at heart. Gonzalez, Rafael, Javier Machado, Marcela Rosas, Luis Condado, Jesus Aleman, Juan · For peace in the Middle East, Venezuela and the whole world. De Jesús and Lean. Betania V: Alejandra Blackhurts. Betania VI: Marco, Silvina, Pato, · For families, for couples that are going through a crisis, so the Blessed Virgin and Saint Milagros, Catalina, Da Silva family, Agustin, Barbara, Omar and Ricardo. Betania VII: Joseph may lead them through the path of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Sami, Raul Reyes, Carolina Bazan and Martin Ferreyra. Debbie Pryor, Raul Betania XVI: · For the Bianchini family, so the Holy Spirit may always guide their steps, and God may Montero and Vanessa Keck. grant them grace, health and strength to continue working for God and the Blessed Virgin. For the cancer patients: Betania I: Bishop Rafael Conde, Jose Derlon, Ana, Dilcia Pastora, Maria Luisa, Raul Father of Goodness, listen to our prayer and grant unto your servants, who trust in You, the Portes, Maria, Sofia Melim, Maria Trinidad, Jose Estrada, Ted Terrill, Yasmin Quiroz, gift of your grace to embrace your love in unity, and reach with your mercy, after this life, Priscilla Carlson, Claudia Haro, Dores Pinto, Tita, Clynt Tylor, Anibal Mejia and Ivonne. the eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. Betania VI: Susana Krisch, Nico, Silvia, Jose, Alonso, Tomas and Emilia. For the deceased: Betania I: Abilio Abreu, Elio Arguelles, Sigurd Succar, Susana Roldan, Alfredo Ponce, Yaline Betancourt, Rafael Chacon, Maria Farias, Jose Alicandu, Janide Moron, Delfin Salazar, Aguedo Santaella, Anibal Dao, Argelia Perez, Susana Pocaterra, Leticia Gomez, Leonardo Jugo, Inmer Gonzalez, Guillermo Martinez, Evelyn Sanchez, Dalkys Salazar, Argelia Leon, Yuri Faneite, Jesus Echeverria, Hector Franceschi, Richard Raouik, Marcela Mendez, Paloma Pena, Vicente Barroso, Eugenia Suarez, Rainier Pita and Ingenio Mota. Betania VI: Luis Esteves, Juan Olivera, Susie and Abel. Betania IX: Fernad Hernandez.
Informative Table Edition: The Bianchini Family and the Betania Foundation Acknowledgments to: Fr. Timothy Byerley Design: The Betania Foundation Additional information: www.betania.org.ve and/or Photography: The Bianchini Family and the Betania Foundation www.mariaesperanza.org Research: The Bianchini Family and the Betania Foundation Suggestions and/or comments: [email protected]
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