The New Lourdes: Betania - Refuge of Reconciliation
part fiver
Approval of the Apparitions and the Universal Meaning of the Messages
These testimonies were instrumental in the apparition being approved one
day before Maria Esperanza de Bianchini's 59th birthday on November 22, 1987. The new bishop of
Los Teques, Bishop Pio Ricardo Bello, who first met Maria in 1944, was the
perfect instrument in God's plan. Though admitting to having an "interior
attitude of doubt and skepticism," prayer and his expertise as a professor
at the Catholic University in Caracas in theological and psychological
training benefited him in deciphering over 381 written declarations and
interviewing over 200 principles over a 500 hour span, which included a
special trip to Rome to consult with the Holy See. Finally, convinced of
the authenticity of the Apparition, he officially issued the Church's
approval on November 21, 1987 with the following statement:
"In consequence, after studying with determination the Apparitions of Our
Blessed Virgin Mary in Finca Betania, and after assiduously asking Our Lord
for Spiritual discernment, I declare that to my judgment these Apparitions
are authentic and have a supernatural character. I therefore officially
approve that the site where the same have occurred be considered as sacred,
that the same be kept as a place for pilgrimages and as a place for prayer,
meditation and worship and where liturgical acts can be carried out
especially the Mass and the administration of the Sacraments, always
following the laws of the Church and the norms of the Diocesan Pastoral
Council."
Bishop Pio Bello stated to us in a private audience that, "Ricardo is
actually my mother's maiden name and therefore I am not really Bishop Pio
Bello Ricardo but rather Bishop Pio Ricardo Bello." He goes on in his
Pastoral Letter to clarify the Church's position concerning private
revelation:
"…when the Church intervenes regarding "Private" revelations,
it does so for the time being to determine the arrangement of the same with
"public" revelation. Consequently, if it finds that "private" revelation
contradicts "public" revelation, it declares it false, since God cannot
contradict Himself. If it finds agreement between the two, it allows
"private" revelations to be accepted…"
His Pastoral Letter is of some length, and it is not possible to copy it
in its entirety in this article. However, for those who wish to read it,
you may write the Bishop care of: Monsignor Pio Bellow, Curia Diocesana,
Calle Junin. 19 Los Teques, State of Miranda, VENEZUELA. It is
recommended you include a donation of two to five dollars and be sure to
request the English translation.
Our Blessed Mother's messages in Betania incorporate the messages of
LaSalette, Rue de Bac, Lourdes, Fatima, San Giovanni, Beauraing, Banneaux,
Garabandal, San Damiano, Akita, El Escorial in Spain, Medjugorje, San
Nicholas, Naju, Hrushiv, Ecuador, Ireland, and here in the United States
and Canada, as well as what the Vicar of Christ is exhorting; that is that
the messages are becoming ever more urgent. As a loving Mother she begs
and pleads and Maria, as a true mystic, knows only too well the seriousness
of her supplication.
A few months before the approval Our Lady delivered a very powerful
message on August 11, 1987: "Man is actually abusing the received graces
and is going towards perdition; if a change does not come and improve his
living he will succumb under the fire, war and death."
Earlier in 1973, Maria received the following on March 23 regarding the
end times and the Reign of the Sacred Heart: "It is the difficult hour for
all humanity and it is necessary to detain the misunderstanding between
brothers; the nations must be united. My Jesus' love will be the door that
will open hearts to give passage to a beautiful age that must resuscitate
the nations to a glorious teaching of unity. Take advantage of time
because the hour 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 that Great Day; do not believe this is far."
On April 27 of the same year, Our Lady imparted, "The Great Day in which
my Son will come is approaching. Pray very much so the horrible clash that
is coming and that could end with so many innocents (being hurt) can be
detained." This confirms the recent messages of many visionaries and
locutionists here in the United States that God's Justice is near.
Our Lady also followed up with the message Pope John Paul II has been
expounding when she stated to Maria: "When you are asked what Messages have
been given to you, answer textually: Our Mother has come as Mary, Virgin
and Mother - Reconciler of Nations, and her Message is to commit oneself to
a better service to the Catholic Church. And we have to do this service
reconciling ourselves more and more, all the Christians, since
reconcilement encourages human rights, social justice, renovation, and
charisma. And furthermore, Reconcilement supposes Truth, Love, Reparation
and Liberty of Conscience, to live in consonance with the doctrine that
Jesus Christ bequeathed us." This is the essence of the Holy Father''
most recent encyclical, Veritatis Splendor. She relayed to Maria in
1988: "Sons and daughters, I beg 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 all to reach rectitude and the knowledge of God's
sons and daughters. All are God's sons and daughters. His Nation. I keep
you in My Heart. Love, love with no limits."
In the next installment we will treat Our Lady's words in which she urges all her
children to Take Refuge in My Immaculate Heart.
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