Finca Betania, Últimas Apariciones

FINCA BETANIA (Venezuela). These are the latest apparitions of Our Lady approved by
the ecclesiastical authorities, since Fatima
JOSE LUIS DE URRUTIA, S.J.
Spain. 1988
MARY, VIRGIN AND MOTHER RECONCILER
OF ALL PEOPLES AND NATIONS
Finca Betania (Venezuela)
On November 21, 1987, Bishop Pio Bello Ricardo, Bishop of Los Teques, issued a Pastoral
Letter on the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in Finca Betania. Betania is located in his
diocese. After, “dedicating many hours to this matter, interviewing approximately 200
protagonists and studying 381 written declarations, etc,” he finally decided, “In consequence,
after studying with determination the apparitions of the Most Holy 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.”
These have been the latest apparitions of the Virgin approved until this booklet was issued.
Of course, the Bishop consulted the Holy See before his approval, according to his declarations,
he investigated the credibility of the witnesses (some pseudo-visionaries); he examined the
spiritual fruits, etc.
Bishop Pio Bello, has a Master’s degree in Theology, from Oña, Burgos, Spain, where his
dissertation for his Ph.D. was in Psychology. He taught this subject at the Catholic University of
Caracas, where he sustained an interest in mystical phenomena and was also Director of the
University.
The First Apparitions of the Virgin
The first apparition took place on March 25, 1976, at 8:30 in the morning on a farm of
about 200 hectares called Betania. Sugar cane, coffee and cacao were cultivated there. There is a
modest farm house located on the property, which today is a fruitful land of forests and
grasslands, surrounded by green hills with abundant springs, and crossed by the small River
Tarma. The temperature ranges from 25 to 30 degrees centigrade, with fresh winds. It is located
12 Kms. from Cúa, Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, Miranda. It is an hour-and-a-half drive
from Caracas by highway. Maria Esperanza is co-owner of the farm.
The apparition occurred above a great tree, on the slope of a hill, where a stream descends,
forming a cascade. People take this water, because they attribute healing properties to it.
The only visionary was Maria Esperanza, although approximately 80 people who were
accompanying her, saw a cloud which covered the hill, extraordinary luminous phenomena and
spinning movements of the sun.

Maria Esperanza experienced additional apparitions on August 22, 1976 (a group of people
had gone to place a Cross on the tree at the Virgin’s request); March 25th; May 1st, 2nd and 3rd,
1977. Some of her companions saw the cloud and the solar phenomena.
On March 25, 1978, with 15 other people she saw Our Lady. They also experienced a
particular phenomenon of the sun: it spun and it seemed to be coming toward them.
On Sunday, March 25, 1984, 150 people accompanied Maria Esperanza for an open-air
Mass at noon. After Mass they saw the Virgin above the cascade under seven different auspices.
The apparitions took place over a three-and-a-half hour period, with a five to ten minute interval
between each one of them. Signed testimonies of these apparitions were obtained from 108
people. The Blessed Mother appeared as Our Lady of Lourdes, of Mount Carmel, of the
Miraculous Medal… and at the end, She appeared with Her Son in Her right Arm as if She was
offering Him to us. This image lasted thirty-five minutes, and when it ended it, it seemed like all
the vegetation was on fire. It was a tremendous experience, and it brought forth the longing for a
profound change in their lives.
Since then, there have been numerous apparitions, particularly on Saturdays, Sundays and
on Marian Feast days. According to the Bishop’s Pastoral Instruction, there have been close to
one thousand proven visionaries.
The Intervention of the Church
“After the first apparition, Bishop Pio Bello states, a movement of piety and religious
formation, centered in Betania, was promoted and directed by Mrs. Bianchini. There, people are
reunited, especially on weekends and on Marian feast days, to offer prayers and to reflect.”
“The Bishop of the diocese at that time, Bishop Juan Jose Bernal, permitted some liturgical
celebrations at the place. He himself administered the Sacraments, especially in favor of the
peasants of the neighboring small villages. During this period of time no formal ecclesiastical
investigation was made regarding the happenings.” He also blessed the grotto dedicated to Our
Lady of Lourdes in Betania, on December 8, 1977.
After the extraordinary apparition on March 25, 1984, and its quick divulgence, numerous
witnesses offered Bishop Pio Bello their declarations in an oral and written fashion. This
convinced him, with a certain doubtful and skeptical attitude, to personally assume direction of
the investigation of the numerous apparitions.
After three years, Bishop Pio Bello’s investigation culminated in the previously quoted
Pastoral Instruction. In it the Bishop points out, “I do not intend to affirm that all and each one
of the apparitions that have taken place in Finca Betania are authentic… there also have been
cases of simple hallucinations… also in Lourdes there were repeated pseudo-visionaries… but
this did not lessen validity from the appreciable volume of the numerous testimonies to which I
do grant credibility.”
A letter of the famous Marian, Father Rene Laurentin (Multiplication des apparitions de la
Vierge aujourd’jul, Editions Fayard. 1988, p. 53), states, “Those who come to the site of the
apparitions receive a strong dose of faith and spirituality. Their Christian life has improved.
People who never prayed before, now pray the Rosary regularly. People who would not go to
Church, now go regularly receiving both, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy
Communion.”
“There have been outstanding conversions. During the Sacrament of Reconciliation, many,
and I too, have been able to verify this. All admit to have experienced deep inner change. The
apparitions have drawn them closer to God and thus, they have renewed their Christian life…
either through prayer, either because of the water from the cascade… receiving not only spiritual

graces, but extraordinary physical healings too. Among the latest: the disappearance of an
advanced cancer in the kidneys… the immediate healing of two duodenum ulcers… the
disappearance of an ovarian fibrosis without the need of surgery, which was considered urgent…
the unexpected healing of a vaginal mycosis which had resisted all treatments. I have gathered
the doctors certificates, analysis and tests of the three mentioned cases.”
Maria Esperanza
Maria Esperanza is the principal visionary. She was born on November 22, 1928 in the
village of Saint Raphael of Barrancas, Monagas, former diocese of Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
Her parents, Mr. Aniceto Medrano, businessman and Mrs. Maria Filomena Parra Sifontes, had
three boys and two girls. Maria Esperanza was only two years old when her father died and they
had to move to Ciudad Bolivar. Afterwards, when she was ten, her family moved to Caracas.
At the age of twelve she was healed in thirteen days of bronchial-pneumonia diagnosed to
be beyond recovery. On December 6, 1947, she visited the Benedictine Father Emerano at the
Benedictine Priorate of Saint Joseph, today Abbey. When he saw her, he told the lady
accompanying her: “You have no problems at all compared to the illness Maria Esperanza will
undergo. Daughter, you will have to suffer so much. You will find yourself at the brink of
death, but you will survive to serve as mother of many who need you. You must prepare
yourself.”
After five days she developed a disease with contradictory symptoms. It gave rise to
disputes among the numerous physicians gathered in a meeting. On January 14, 1948, Father
Emerano, now her spiritual director, suddenly went to visit her at 7:00 in the morning, and she
asked the Lord for her healing. At 10:00 a.m. due to acute pain, she asked the Sacred Heart of
Jesus to heal her or let her die. She heard a voice, “Take kolastier”. The doctor agreed, and she
took it at 4:00 p.m.
Maria Esperanza sat up and asked for paper and pencil. She wrote the first of hundreds of
messages she would receive, “Maria Esperanza, My Mother and I healed you, do not despair.
You will find peace and relief to your sickness. My Father has heard you, and you will rise
up..!”
After seven days she received the second message,which told her that she should go and see
Dr. Hernandez Rodriguez, and told her the medicine he would send her. It all took place. She
had several visions: Simon Bolivar, Saint John of Los Morros (Saint John the Baptist). Father
Emerano confirms to her that she had a mission, and that she should have much willpower to
fulfill the plan God had for her.
Maria Esperanza told a person who was diagnosed with cancer, that it was only a problem
with his vesicle, and that he had to have an operation immediately. He was operated and healed.
She visited a child with typhoid fever, and the boy began to heal. She advised a lady with
leprosy to take some pills, and the lady was healed. Likewise, other healings.
From family necessity she began to work as an office clerk in Caracas, but the onset of the
illness forced her to leave the job. For three years she devoted herself to charity and apostolic
deeds. She dressed in black garments, and used a black veil. Then, longing to be a Religious,
she went to live with the Franciscan nuns in Merida.
On October 3 rd ,1954, she asked fervently for this to Saint Theresa, who appeared to her, and
told her that her vocation was not to be a Religious, but rather a mother… that she would
sanctify herself and would shine in the midst of the world. The Sacred Heart of Jesus ordered
her to go to Rome. In Merida, her spiritual director, Bishop Quintero, who would later be

Cardinal in Caracas, encouraged her to continue the mission God had entrusted her, and not to
mind the ill talking, for she was very slandered.
Once in Caracas, on October 7, 1954 the Immaculate Heart of Mary appeared to her, “In
addition to daily Communion, fasting, prayer, penance, you must retire into yourself, for I will
be back on the 12 th to prepare your heart of spiritual mother to the souls. It will be sealed
forever as so. Moreover you will be mother of seven children: six roses and a bud.”
That month she moved to Rome, until January, 1955. Then she went back to Rome, and on
November 1, in front of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart erected by Saint John Bosco, she met her
husband. This had been announced to her by Saint John Bosco four years before; that she would
meet him on a first of November, and that he would be carrying a sword. His name was Geo
Bianchini Giani, he had worked in the Vatican City, and now was a member of the guard of the
President of the Republic.
In late January, 1956 she returned to Venezuela; and in August of that year, she went back
to Rome, and on December 8, 1956 she married in the Chapel of the Choir, in the Basilica of
Saint Peter. After some time they moved permanently to Caracas. Their children are: Giovanni,
Maria Immaculada, Maria Esperanza, Maria Gracia, Maria Coromoto, Maria Auxiliadora, and
Maria del Carmen. All of them are now married.
Fulfilling her mission, Maria Esperanza has traveled not only throughout her country but to
Italy, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Greece, Egypt, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, England, France,
Spain, Portugal; The United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Trinidad,
Argentina, Brazil…
Without neglecting her family duties, she goes on with her extraordinary charismas.
Examined by the Bishop they are: clairvoyance, visions of the future, levitation, transfiguration,
stigmata, gift of healing, Communion received in a mysteriously way, and the profusion of
perfume and flowers in a supernatural way.
Betania Foundation
Since the first messages, Our Lady spoke to Maria Esperanza about the existence of a Holy
Land. It would be a New Ark of Salvation, located in the North-central part of Venezuela. It
would be a site of prayer and pilgrimage for Venezuela and for the whole world, where people
would hold hands in reconciliation of people and nations for the great task of Uniting the Human
Race.
After twenty-five years of expectation, on April 19, 1979, the Betania Foundation was
established in Caracas as a Civil Association; a social, apolitical and non profit organization. Its
main purpose is to foster social justice in a broad sense of universal brotherhood, to achieve to
draw men closer together, and draw men closer to God. Its motto: “Shielded in faith to work for
a better tomorrow.”
The Foundation’s members, directed by Mrs. Maria Esperanza, gave occasion for Maria
Auxiliadora, her daughter, a professional musician, to constitute a Choir with a group of young
men and women. At present, they are forty members. In their mission as a musical group they
have had the objective to, “Hand on a message of love and peace” in each one of their
concerts… achieving great acceptance and admiration by the public in general.

The Messages
Maria Esperanza has received messages for a very long time. Summarizing :
MOSSES: (Caracas, 2/9/65) “The rock that opened to give me water will spring forth again…”
ABRAHAM: (El Junko, 11/4/68) “Those from different places of the world will take refuge
there. He who comes with humility will sanctify himself…”
SOLOMON: (El Junko, 2/3/69) “The heartily humble will enter, the proud will be cast out. Only
the upright will feel the presence of the Master. Meditate, watch, pray, make sacrifices and wait
for the Great Day to come…”
SAMUEL: (El Junko, 2/8/69) “I will lead you, and you will prepare the land so when the time
comes, it will be for the People of God.
ISAAC: (El Junko, 3/4/69) “The great Christian fortress will be erected. You will have abundant
water, you will drink it, and receive a renewing baptism.”
HEART OF JESUS (Caracas, 4/27/73) “Children, the Great Day is coming in which all of you
together will plant the tree of grace in the innocent little ones; so they may save those future
generations of a better tomorrow… Meditate My Passion all Fridays. Dedicate those three
hours of My agony to Me. With this you will save many souls… Do not halt for My coming is
near…”
Messages of the Virgin
Bishop Pio Bello, in respect to the messages, states in his Pastoral Letter that: “Very few
people have declared they have had any kind of verbal communication with the Most Holy
Virgin… In this case, there are of course; poor, not educated, but there are also many middle
class professional people as: Doctors, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Engineers and Lawyers.
There are also numerous college students… There are children and adults, teenagers and elderly
people, nuns…”
“With regard to the content of the communications, it is of: Renewal of faith. Deepening in
faith through the Sacred Scripture. Conversion from sin to a full Christian life. Apostolic
commitment. Call to prayer: for the Church, the priests, for vocations, for the conversion of
sinners, for peace in the world, and for the imminent dangers that threaten mankind. Frequent
reception of the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Charity with the most in need, the poor, the sick… each one sharing what he has with the rest.”
Next, some excerpts of the messages:
“It is the time of prayer, meditation, heartfelt simplicity, and above all great understanding
with all your brothers, for they are the reflection of My Divine Son. It is the time for a
movement of apostleship to bring families together, preparing the youth… You must start
preparing yourselves for that Great Day in which all will see the light of a Star. Some will be
overwhelmed by confusion, others by holy joy… My Star will show you why you prepared
(announcement made in other apparitions), then, the rest will come…” (3/1/73)

“It is the difficult hour for all mankind, and it is necessary to detain the misunderstanding
between brothers. Nations must be united… the love of My Jesus will be the doorway to open
the hearts to give passage to a beautiful era. It must raise the peoples to a glorious teaching of
unity. Take advantage of time, because the time is coming in which My Son will present
Himself before all as Judge and Savior. You must be in the necessary conditions to live together
with Him on that Great Day. Do not believe this is far away…” (3/23/73)
“The Great Day in which My Son is coming is approaching. Pray very much so the
dreadful scourge that is coming, which could end with so many innocent ones, can be
detained…” (4/27/73)
“Daughter, I offer you the root of My hope so you may fulfill the mission I have entrusted
you. With this title (Mary, Root of Hope) you will have strength, life, and courage in the “Task
of Love” I once placed in your hands.” (5/27/73)
“The true sense of life is: To live together with My Son, for He is the Savior of the world.
The Heart of My Son wants to give itself to you again. It wants to appear alive, beating with
infinite charity; and with the love of infinite, divine, sound, and merciful riches. How sweet is
His Heart..!” (5/29/74)
“Children, seek the Heart of My Divine Son for it will make the hardest things easier…”
(6/1/74)
As we said before, after several announcements, on March 25, 1976 the first apparition on
Finca Betania took place. It occurred with visible signs before everyone. It was at 8:30 a.m.
Our Lady was dressed in white. Earlier, at 4:00 in the morning, she gave a message to Maria
Esperanza in which She said She would appear at 8:30 a.m. She appeared under the title of
Mary Reconciler of People and Nations.
“With My Hands emitting rays of refulgent lights… to lighten the burdens of My priestly
sons, because they are the ones who responding to My call, will have to make of My place,
chosen for these times of great calamities for mankind, the Sacred Enclosure. Where all My
children will find refuge, to rebuild the walls of the triumphant New Jerusalem. And all have to
be saved by the faith, love and truth of a people crying out for justice…”
“In 1983 you will be able to carry out, the land movement in a clear way… and then in
1984 the Great Event of My presence at the place, and there… conversions, healings of the body
and soul, priestly and religious vocations, unity in the marriages, regenerated families in the
faith, charismas of the Holy Spirit performing in all that come near with humility. Those who
are repentant, and crying over their misdeeds turn their eyes to the grotto of My apparition
asking for forgiveness, will receive an abundance of graces. All will be well received, their
souls will become pure and clean as the day they were purified by the holy baptism. All will rise
with My Son. The 25th of March… a very special grace I will give you… and on the 13th of
May… among those present there, some will feel Me… others will see Me… that Great Day is
arriving..!” (11/27/78)

“I wish to be known as Mary, Virgin and Mother Reconciler of People and Nations.
Because men need to find themselves in order to see in each human being their own brother.
Respecting that each one should acknowledge himself or herself as a member of a family, family
of God. Fight for the poorest and the forsaken classes… execute the needed works of
apostleship, the completion of a community… the institutions which must be created to help a
conglomerate… a well established organization, with only one desire: To love one another, as
the Commandment of brotherhood and justice of My Beloved Son. I am offering you the great
opportunity of the great promise: The reconciliation of the universe, that is to say, men with
God, and men with men… Especially Religious, my consecrated Priests and missionary Sisters,
that they may enter wholeheartedly into prayer and contemplation which is so necessary in this
hour so decisive for mankind. Action and work are the axis, but without prayer works are ruined.
It is important, even necessary, to consider your vows…” (1/14/84)
“Men actually are abusing the received graces and are going toward perdition. If a change
does not come forth, and improve their living they will succumb under fire, war and death…
When you are asked what messages have been given to you, answer textually: Our Mother has
come as Mary, Virgin and Mother Reconciler of People, and her message is to commit oneself to
a better service to the Catholic Church. And we have to do this service reconciling all
Christians, more and more, since reconcilement stimulates human rights, social justice,
renovation and charisma. And furthermore reconciliation supposes truth, love, reparation and
liberty of conscience, to live in consonance with the doctrine that Jesus Christ bequeathed us.”
(8-11-87)
“Sons and daughters, I beg all of you to take advantage of the days, hours, minutes, seconds,
to prepare yourselves..! Evangelization is the representation of the New Golden Age of a New
World… where peace and the ways of love will take you to reach the rectitude and the
knowledge of God’s sons and daughters..! All are God’s children… His people… I keep you in
My Heart… Love… love… love without limits..!” (3/6/88)
N.B.: Regarding these apparitions, beside the Pastoral Letter (that Bishop Pio Bello kindly sent
me), Father R. Laurentin’s book, and some articles from Caracas journals; during the week of
Marian Studies in Zaragoza, 1986, in “The Marian Apparitions in the Life of the Church”, the
Dominican Agueda Maria Rodriguez Cruz, made a brief statement. I also thank Dr. Carlos
Castro Cabrera for his unpublished notes, and the interesting notes sent by the Engineer Mr. Jose
Gregorio Paris.
Father Jose Luis de Urrutia, at the age of forty-two, while professor at the School of
Canon Law in Madrid, was paralyzed in a car accident. Since then, from his room, he continues
to work as a writer, in addition of working as editor of several magazines, specialized in spiritual
issues.