Betania: Apparitions, Messages, Prayers
On March 25, 1976, the Virgin Mary appeared for the first time to Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini, a wife and mother, in Betania, Venezuela. The Blessed Virgin presented herself as the Mother Reconciler of All Nations and came to deliver a message of reconciliation, love, and fraternal unity. The apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Betania are among those officially recognized by the Catholic Church.
History of the Apparitions in Betania, Venezuela
Who Was Maria Esperanza?
Maria Esperanza was born on November 22, 1928, in Barrancas del Orinoco, northern Venezuela. Her mother, who already had three sons, had prayed fervently to the Blessed Virgin for a daughter. From an early age, Maria displayed extraordinary spiritual gifts. As a child, she received visions of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and several saints. She suffered from various illnesses that were inexplicably and miraculously healed. Maria also had the gift of reading souls, which drew many people to her.
As a young woman, Maria felt called to dedicate her life to God and, at 26, entered the Franciscan convent in Mérida. However, the Lord soon made it clear that this was not her path through a vision of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In the convent chapel, the saint threw her a rose, but when Maria reached for it, she felt a sharp pain, and blood flowed from her hand. She then heard the voice of Jesus telling her that her place was in the world as a wife and mother. Maria learned she would have "six roses and a bud" (six daughters and one son).
Following revelations from St. John Bosco, Jesus instructed her to go to Rome, where she would meet her future husband. On November 1, 1955, Maria Esperanza met Mr. Geo Bianchini in Rome, recognizing him by the signs she had been given. They married there a year later.
The First Apparitions at the Betania Farm
From 1938 to 1974, Maria received repeated revelations about a land that would become a blessing for Venezuela and the world, a center of prayer and healing under the Virgin Mary's protection. After an extensive search across Venezuela, the Bianchinis finally found a farm in Betania that matched all the signs given by the Virgin: a river, a cave, and an old house. They purchased it with two partners.
On March 21, 1976, the Virgin Mary told Maria Esperanza she would appear at the farm four days later. Indeed, on March 25, 1976 (Feast of the Annunciation), the Virgin appeared while 80 members of a prayer group were gathered at the farm. Only Maria saw her that day and relayed her message:
"My daughter, I come to you with hands full of graces, calling all my children to conversion. I am Mary, Reconciler of all peoples and nations, for I come to reconcile you all! Reconciliation is the inheritance of the divine brotherhood of my divine Son! My daughter, bring my message to the whole world! I will keep you in my Heart from today and forever!"
Over the next three years, Maria Esperanza continued to see the Virgin frequently. The Blessed Mother announced that soon, she would appear visibly to all.
On March 25, 1984, 150 people present in Betania saw Our Lady. Maria transmitted her message:
"My children, I am Mary, Virgin and Mother Reconciler of Peoples. I come with my Son in my arms to reconcile you. Oh, sublime hope is yours! Pray the Rosary! My children, you have seen and felt me, knowing that I truly live among you! [...]"
At Betania, Our Lady appeared wearing a white robe with a blue sash and a veil that revealed her hair. Her arms were open in greeting, and rays of light emanated from her hands. She wore a medal resembling the Miraculous Medal.
Church Recognition
Bishop Pío Bello Ricardo of the Diocese of Los Teques personally led the investigation into the events at Betania. A Jesuit with solid theological training from Spain, he saw no need to form a commission and instead interviewed nearly 500 witnesses himself. He meticulously recorded their testimonies, compiling a dossier of 381 written statements.
After ten years of thorough work, the bishop gave a highly positive assessment, based on testimonies he found "serious, sincere, and consistent." Out of prudence, he referred the matter to the Pope. On November 21, 1987, the Catholic Church officially recognized the apparitions at Betania.
Pilgrimages to Betania
News of the Virgin's appearances spread throughout Venezuela and beyond, drawing countless pilgrims. The sick were brought to the site, and many graces and healings were received. Numerous accounts describe mystical experiences at Betania:
Some saw the Virgin or intense lights
Others heard choirs of angels
Many reported celestial fragrances
Bishop Bello noted:
"The apparitions continued on Saturdays, Sundays, and Marian feast days. They were especially frequent in 1984 and 1985, becoming more spaced out between 1986 and 1987."
He estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 people saw the Virgin at Betania.
At the Virgin's request, Maria Esperanza donated 4 hectares of the land to the Church, forming what is now the Sanctuary of Betania.
Maria Esperanza passed away on August 7, 2004, at age 76. She had been suffering from a Parkinson's-like illness and died surrounded by family in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Her cause for beatification was opened on January 31, 2010, by Bishop Paul Bootkoski of New Jersey. She is now recognized as a Servant of God.
Messages from the Virgin Mary at Betania
Message of June 21, 1987
"Yes, my children, now wait serenely with the key that opens the door to salvation... and say quietly: 'Lord Jesus, we await You, for You have promised to come... and God's promises cannot be ignored.' We are here to hold you, love you, and always live by your side with your Mother! The Lord repeats to you: 'Whoever eats My Body and drinks My Blood will be safe... entering to dwell eternally in My Father's House!' You are here to learn, and I enter your hearts to shape them and make them worthy of the Mystical Body!"
Message of July 6, 1987
"My children, reaffirm your trust in the adorable Heart of my Jesus. Rest on the Lord's promises, for He hears His children's prayers... Do not worry, for religious vocations will multiply... Be filled with gratitude... Sons and daughters, do not stop wearing my Miraculous Medal to be protected... Distribute it generously so that sinners may be converted, the sick healed, and the moral values of today's world restored!"
Message of March 28, 1989
"My daughter, my children, I ask each of you to repair your lives through necessary penance and prayer to merit God's justice, which is offended by humanity today... It is also very important for you to attend Holy Mass frequently and receive the Eucharist... so that the nourishment of my divine Son may help you feel inwardly illuminated by an unknown light. Children, I love you deeply, and my love is so great that I call each of you to my prayer grotto, where you may meditate on and live the Gospel... protected by the grace of the Holy Spirit! I keep you in my care!"
Prayer to Mary, Reconciler of Peoples
(Written by Maria Esperanza de Bianchini)
"O Mary, Our Lady, we come here to offer you our hearts.
O Mary, brighter than the sun, the moon, and the stars, you have come to seek us so that we may accompany you in carrying your message of love—a message of life for humanity in this time when the sun of justice, your divine Son Jesus Christ, the King and Savior, must shine.
Save us, lead us to a new world.
O Mary, Mother of the Church, here we stand before you, seeking your sweet, gentle, and tenderly loving gaze, that we may become your humble servants.
O Mary, Our Lady, we offer you our constant service as apostles of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Virgin and Mother Reconciler of all peoples and nations.
The peoples who acclaim you will seek and meet you in a single embrace, as a people who wish to serve you, love you, and acknowledge you as their Mother."
Amen.
Continue Your Prayer to the Virgin Mary with Hozana!
At Betania, Our Lady appeared wearing the Miraculous Medal. Pray the
and ask her for a special grace.Pray the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes for physical healing. Join
to fervently pray for the healing of the sick and peace for their families!If you struggle or suffer, entrust the knots in your life to her who can do all things with the Lord! Pray the
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