The Betania Foundation was created in April 19, 1979. Mrs. Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini in the city of Caracas founded it, after an inspiration received from Mary, Virgin and Mother Reconciler of all People and Nations. This was the title revealed by Our Lady in the apparition that first took place in Finca Betania, Venezuela on March 25, 1976.
Our Blessed Mother told Mrs. Maria Esperanza, ever since she was very young, about the existence of a Holy Land . A New Arc of salvation; a place where she would make herself present; a site of prayer and of constant pilgrimage for the Venezuelan people, and afterwards for all the nations of the world; a location in which everyone could hold hands as a sign of reconciliation among people and nations; and, a place where Church and people would work together with one sole purpose: “The construction of a new free and just society for the well-being of all communities.” And consequently “the great event of the fulfillment of the great deed, the Unity of Human Race.”
In her revelation, the Virgin told Mrs. Maria Esperanza of the need to create a foundation with the same name of the land she had given her. This was the beginning of a mission, to make known to the world the apparition and the message of Our Lady of Betania. Impelled by this inspiration, Mrs. Maria Esperanza created the Betania Foundation as a civil association, a non profit organization with the objective of attracting souls that had the desire of working for the beautiful cause under the motto, “Shielded in faith to work for a better tomorrow.”
The Betania Foundation is intended to conceive and carry out activities that help men develop morally, spiritually and intellectually, without discrimination of any sort. Each member through philanthropic work in true human solidarity will establish the basis of authentic universal brotherhood. To put into effect its objectives will be occasion to practice the divine Commandment, “to love one another”. For only with love, according to Mrs. Maria Esperanza, “is the most secret energy of the soul, the most intimate aspect of man manifested”, and “love put into practice will be the only means to trespass the threshold and penetrate the kingdom of the spirit.”
In the same words of the founder, “the time of the awakening of a New Dawn has come, in which the Sun of Justice will shine upon the four corners of the planet, and when this takes place only the good deeds of man will count.” Therefore, “Only through faith and good deeds, and joining the Father and the Son, will we receive the Holy Spirit, the complement of the Holy Trinity. This is the bridge we have to cross in this life's short span of time in order to reach Him.”
“Brothers, the time has come in which each one must contribute with their grain of sand to carry out the activities of the Foundation; each one according to their own possibilities and limitations. Brothers, it is never late to commence the sowing of the good seed. If because of carelessness, negligence or ignorance this has not been done, the time to rectify is now. We must try and put ourselves to work. Now you have an opportunity, the Betania Foundation has the need for good men and women who will plant the seeds. Think about this and contact us.”
The following letter was written by Mrs. Maria Esperanza when the activities of the Betania Foundation began.
Caracas , May 24, 1979
Dear brother,
This letter has reached you with the sole purpose of informing you about our “Betania Foundation” which after years of expectation is now a dream come true.
I always had the firm conviction and the unwavering faith that this day would come, the outset of the sowing of the abundant harvest for the future.
I say, this society will be a community for the People of God, not only in Venezuela, land of promises, but also in Italy, Israel and the rest of the world, enabling each one of us to take part in a mission of service for the development of a new world, salvation for the generations to come.
As established in the Statutory Constitution Papers it is a Civil Association, a social, apolitical and non-profit organization, where with a group of people, uniting forces and souls I will work to carry out activities to serve mankind.
The mission of this social work, Betania Foundation, will be the cleansing and the new construction of human rights following a plan which has as its main factor the development of “common well-being”, principle of man's rights, touching deeply the area of social justice which is nothing but the fundamental rights of freedom of conscience, considering particularly the premises of man regarding his mindfulness and his sense of dignity.
It is a community enterprise which has the fundamental basis of struggling for a world of true sharing among men with no discrimination whatsoever; looking to draw men closer together, and draw men closer to God, prime basis for true universal brotherhood.
I want you to know once again that God lives among us, and we live in the warmth and in the light of His wisdom.
Children, youth, adults and the elderly are the goal, the field of our promotional humanitarian activity.
Henceforth, you must not feel lonely. We are waiting for you here, and in mutual aid we will strive to solve those inevitable hard times that we all experience, either because of breaking a higher law or because of being subjected to a trial in order to temper our spirit. As a great family we will share your grief and your happiness as well. It is worthwhile to struggle, work, give ourselves completely in pursuit of these ideals which convey the complete fulfillment of human beings.
Any one who wants to join our Association will be welcomed, as long as he/she accepts its Bylaws and Regulations.
Fraternally,
Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini
Founder |
|