Bob Dodds
609-464-6773
The third faith community formed by Maria Esperanza, a devout woman from Venezuela who was considered by many to be a mystic, as she had visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and other spiritual occurrences. She passed away in 2004 on Long Beach Island, and her husband and children have visited our parish in the years since. Her cause for canonization was opened January 31, 2010.
Maria's Biography
Maria Esperanza was born in Barrancas, Monagus State in Venezuela along the Orinoco River, on November 22, 1928, on the feast of Saint Cecilia, patroness of musicians. Although she desired to become a nun, the Lord called her to be a spouse, a mother of seven children, and a grandmother of 20 grandchildren.
From an early age, Maria Esperanza was endowed with special charisms like wisdom in discourse, knowledge, the gift of healing, the gift of counsel, discernment of spirits, visions, locutions, ecstasies, Levitation, the odor of sanctity, the stigmata, and the ability to read the hearts of others, all of which she used for the benefit of those in need.
Above all these graces, her life was a life surrendered to God and to prayer, which transformed her into an example of obedience to the will of God, end of charity and humility, for all those who crossed her path.
On April 19, 1979, Maria Esperanza created the Betania Foundation, a lay movement destined to evangelize, educate youth, develop the well-being of society, foster family life, and promote social justice. The ultimate purpose of the Foundation is to consolidate the basis of a new world by “loving one another“, with the motto: “Shielded in faith to work for a better tomorrow.”
March 25, 1984, was a decisive moment in the life of Maria Esperanza and her Foundation. On this day, the Mother of Christ appeared to her and 150 people in Finca Betania, Venezuela, under the title of “Mary, Virgin and Mother, Reconciler of all Peoples and Nations.“. The church approved these apparitions in 1987. Because Maria Esperanza was the primary visionary in Betania, this event caused her to receive international recognition.
After the apparitions in Betania, Maria Esperanza carried out a tireless missionary work of spreading the message of love, reconciliation, and family unity throughout the world, through countless conferences, dialogs, and presentations.
After suffering an illness similar to Parkinson’s disease, Maria Esperanza gave her soul to the Lord in the United States of America, in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, on August 7, 2004, at the age of 75.
The Betania foundation continues to carry out the apostolate of Maria Esperanza.
Prayer for Maria
Merciful Father, You blessed Maria Esperanza with an abundance of spiritual gifts for the consolation of your people. She served You as wife, mother, and missionary to promote the unity of the family and the reconciliation of all peoples. You enable her to be the central figure in the manifestations of the Virgin Mary, under the title of Reconciler of all Peoples and Nations, in Betania. Grant us the grace to follow her example of humility, hope, and unconditional love.
Through the intercession of your servant, Maria Esperanza, we pray for the healing and reconciliation of our families, and for the fraternal unity of the entire human family.
Especially, we beseech You to grant us the favors we now request (mention your intentions here) through the merits and prayers of your servant. Likewise, we humbly implore that she be inscribed in the Church's catalogue of saints, as a universal model of the beatitudes.
We pray all this according to your holy will, cherished by your servant until the end, through Jesus Christ, your Son, Our Lord.
Amen.
Join Us in Prayer For Maria:
All Wednesdays Betania Rosary @ 2pm
St. Mary of the Pines - on the 1st and 2nd Wednesday
St. Mary’s, Barnegat - on the 3rd, 4th (and 5th if applicable) Wednesday
Betania Mass
A mass is held on the last Sunday of the month at 3:00 PM in St. Mary's Barnegat. This Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation. The Divine Mercy Chaplet & Rosary are also prayed.