By Dorothy K. LaMantia, Correspondent

More than 200 parishioners in St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, gathered to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Maria Esperanza de Bianchini, seer, visionary and mystic, and to pray for her canonization by the Church during a Mass celebrated Aug. 7.

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Since 1976, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared over 30 times to Maria Esperanza, now titled Servant of God,  in Vinca Betania, Venezuela.   Through these apparitions, authenticated by the Vatican, Mary is known as Our Lady of Betania, Reconciler of Peoples of All Nations.

 Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, pastor, celebrated the Mass in St. Mary of the Pines Church, Manahawkin, and reflected on the meaning of the life of this wife and mother who had the gifts to heal, counsel, and read people’s hearts.

”Human beings crave the signs of the divine in this very secular age,” he said.  “God in his providence sends us people with charisms like Maria Esperanza to remind us of his presence.”

Parishioner Robert Dodds, a coordinator of the parish’s Betania III, one of 17 communities worldwide who pray regularly for her canonization, addressed the congregation near the end of the Mass with details from her life and ministry.

“Like St. Pio, she received the gift of the Stigmata, Jesus’ wounds from the Cross, every Good Friday.” said Dodds.  “As a child, she was devoted to St. Therese of Lisieux.  She hoped to become a nun, but St. Therese appeared to her and told her that God’s plan for her was to be a wife and mother.   She married Geo Bianchini Gianni and had six daughters and one son.”

Maria Esperanza and her family have a special place in the hearts of the communities of Manahawkin and Long Beach Island.  The visionary travelled the globe in her mission to promote both  family unity and world peace, based on the messages she received from Our Lady.

She developed a friendship with a family from Barnegat Light who invited her to use their home as a respite during her treatment for a form of Parkinson’s Disease.  She and her family stayed at the home, where they invited many local residents  to come pray with them.

 She died Aug. 7, 2004, at what was then Southern Ocean County Hospital “in the odor of sanctity, the fragrance of roses,” said Dodd. 

Among the glass windows etched with beloved images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Mary of the Pines Church, one is etched with the image of Our Lady of Betania.  Photographs of the statue which stands near the Venezuelan apparition site are displayed in St. Mary of the Pines and St. Mary Church, Barnegat.  Her family has formed the Betania Choir, which has visited and given concerts at the parish. 

 For several years, on the fourth Sunday of the month, a Mass has been celebrated to pray for her canonization.  Often the Masses are attended by people who knew her and were changed by her joyous presence.

Masses are scheduled for Sept. 28 and Oct. 26 at 3 p.m.  At the request of Maria Esperanza’s husband, Betania III is sponsoring weekly recitations of the Rosary on Wednesday evenings from Sept. 3 through Dec. 3.

Carole Liming, part of Betania III and assistant to Dodd in promoting the cause of canonization, finds  inspiration in this Servant of God because   “I can relate to her as a mother, grandmother and wife. She did so many good things and worked for God as a human being.”

Parishioner William MacFarlane added, “This pure holy woman – a mother and a mystic –  is a model for all.  I am sure she will become a saint.”