Born on November 22, 1928, in Barrancas, Venezuela, Bianchini was the mother of seven children and grandmother of 20 children. Believers claim that, while Maria Esperanza Medrano considered becoming a nun, it was revealed to her in a vision on October 3, 1954, that her calling was to the married life. It is said that in this vision of
St. John Bosco, the saint told her she would first encounter her spouse on November 1, 1955, which she reportedly did. She was particularly devoted to
St Thérèse of Lisieux. Believers hold that, from her youth, Maria Esperanza lived a life of virtue and fidelity to God and received the gifts of supernatural knowledge, healing, visions, discernment of spirits, locution, ecstasy, levitation, the odor of sanctity, the
stigmata, and the ability to read the hearts of others.{{cite news In 1979 she created the Betania Foundation, a
lay movement designed to evangelize, educate and develop society's well-being and family life, and promote social justice. Her family continues the mission of the foundation. ==Apparitions==