“A call to reconciliation” in 1998

 

In 1998 Mrs. Maria Esperanza de Bianchini had the wonderful opportunity of having a private audience with His Holiness the Pope, John Paul II. This meeting, which took place on February 14, made all the community rejoice with happiness.  On this occasion she was accompanied by a reduced part of her family and by few friends from Venezuela and the United States of America. She spent these days very close to the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist, by going to Holy Mass daily, celebrated by Monsignor Vincenzo Puma and by Father Edward Mc Donough in different Italian Churches. As expected in her missions, after each Holy Mass she was invited to speak to the people, in order to share with everyone her spiritual experiences with the Lord and his Blessed Mother.

In May Mrs. Maria Esperanza traveled to Edmonton, Canada, accompanied by a group of 24 people. Among them were family members and part of the Betania Foundation.

            The invitation was to the Eucharistic and Marian Conference 1998. For the opening ceremony at the Mayfield Inn Trade Centre, Mrs. Maria Esperanza and her husband, Mr. Geo Bianchini; Chief Roderick Alexis (decked with his traditional Sioux garment) and his wife, Doreen Alexis; were invited to lead a procession with the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mary Virgin and Mother Reconciler of all People and Nations, of Betania, plunged in the rhythm of drums and Indian chants. After Holy Mass, celebrated by Father Dejardin, Mrs. Maria Esperanza gave her first speech, in which she addressed a number of issues. She immediately shared individually with the people.  On the next day, she closed the event with deep meditations about spiritual life.

            After the conference, Mrs. Maria Esperanza and her group were invited to be Indian Reserve Alexis First Nations. There, she visited the beautiful and huge Church Saint Anne where the Indians of all the reservations of Canada and the United States of America meet every July to venerate Our Lady of Guadalupe; adore her Son, Our Lord; and thank his grandmother, Saint Anne. Mrs. Maria Esperanza also shared with the children of Alexis School Expansion, who all sat gathered at her feet. Then, she was invited to the residence of the Indian Chief.  He had dug a hole so they both could plant a pine tree, for its growth would stand for their everlasting friendship. That afternoon was filled with meetings, – with each family group, held inside their typical housing, the tepee – music, dance, food, prayer, and gorgeous gifts.

That year, her foreign activities ended at Cayman Islands, British West Islands. Father Devon Nash and the Burke family invited Mrs. Maria Esperanza to a weekend retreat in June, at the Church St. Ignatius. The purpose of such invitation was to spread all over the island the peace and love she transmits due to her unconditional surrendering to serve God. Thus, the weekend was spent among: Eucharistic celebrations, chants, prayers, exchanging ideas, experiences, and conversations.

“Our Lady comes to call us to reconciliation through the love of Jesus Our Savior, our Eternal Father, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter.”  This is the Good News that Mrs. Maria Esperanza shared tirelessly with all the men, women, and children who heard her message attentively from distant corners of the world.