Although Maria Esperanza had frequent visions and locutions of Jesus, Mary and the saints, something very unusual occurred in Betania on March 25, 1984. Around 150 people, including Maria Esperanza’s entire family and many of her spiritual sons and daughters were at a tropical sugarcane farm called Betania (Bethany), about 50 miles south of Caracas. It was a Sunday, and the group was gathered there to enjoy a day of relaxation and fraternity. As the children were playing in front of a small waterfall, they suddenly looked up and saw the Blessed Virgin. They ran to tell their parents and everyone hastened to the area in front of the waterfall, now called the grotto.
Over the next three hours the entire group saw Our Lady seven times. Each visit lasted from five to ten minutes, except the last at dusk, when the Virgin appeared for half an hour.
Our Lady identified herself as Mary, Virgin and Mother, Reconciler of All Peoples and Nations. This flash of divine intervention transformed Betania into an international focal point of reconciliation and Marian spirituality overnight. The experience transformed the spiritual lives of those present as well.
Word of the event spread rapidly and the local Bishop of Los Teques, Pio Bello Ricardo undertook an extensive investigation. He consulted with then-Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger later Pope Benedict XVI, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On November 21, 1987 three and a half years later, Bishop Pio Bello issued his pastoral letter on Betania. He said:
“IN CONSEQUENCE, AFTER STUDYING WITH DETERMINATION THE APPARITIONS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN FINCA BETANIA AND AFTER ASSIDUOUSLY ASKING OUR LORD FOR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: I DECLARE THAT IN MY JUDGMENT THESE APPARITIONS ARE AUTHENTIC AND OF SUPERNATURAL CHARACTER.
“THEREFORE, I APPROVE OFFICIALLY THAT THE PLACE WHERE THE APPARITIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS SACRED, AND THAT IT BE KEPT AS A SITE FOR PILGRIMAGES, AS A PLACE FOR PRAYER, REFLECTION AND WORSHIP; WHERE ALL LITURGICAL ACTS CAN BE CELEBRATED ESPECIALLY THE CELEBRATION OF THE MASS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND THE EUCHARIST, ALWAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE CHURCH AND THE NORMS OF THE DIOCESE.”
I am happy to tell you that Maria Coromoto Marrero, one of the daughters of Maria Esperanza who was present for the March 25, 1984 apparition in Betania, will be here to speak about this experience on the last night of our Forty Hours, just before the final procession with the Blessed Sacrament. You will be deeply edified by her account.
Fr. Tim Byerley
Pastor
Sunday, October 9, 2016
3:00p
Special Anointing of the Sick Mass
Homily: Fr. Tim Byerley ~ “Maria Esperanza and the Healing of the Sick”
Post Communion Reflection: Michelle Bowers ~ “Maria Esperanza Healed My Son!”
4:00 to 10:00p
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
7:00 to 8:00p
Confession
10:00p
Night Prayer
Monday, October 10, 2016
No Morning Masses
8:00a
Morning Prayer with Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament
8:30a to 10:00p
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
(interrupted only by the 7:00p Mass)
7:00p
Mass for Vocations and
Investiture of the Knights of the Altar & Adorers of the Precious Blood
Homily: Fr. Tim Byerley ~ "Maria Esperanza Speaks to St. Peter's Parish"
10:00p
Night Prayer
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
No Morning Masses
8:00a
Morning Prayer with Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament
8:30a to 7:00p
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
7:00p
Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving &
Procession with the Most Blessed Sacrament
Homily: Fr. Tim Byerley ~ “The Blessed Mother Visits Betania”
Post Communion Reflection: Maria Coromoto Bianchini Marrero ~
“I was there when Our Lady appeared in 1984.”