Her Story
Maria Esperanza was born in Barrancas, Monagas 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 twenty 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 live was a life surrendered to God and to prayer, which transformed her into an example of obedience to the will of God, and to 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 25th, 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 the 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, dialogues, and presentations.
After suffering an illness similar to Parkinson's disease, Maria Esperanza gave her soul to the Lord in the United Staes of America, in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, on August 7th, 2004, at the age of 75.
The Betania Foundation continues to carry out the apostolate of Maria Esperanza.