Days earlier, on December 18th, the 30th anniversary of the Legion of Christ’s arrival in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was celebrated.
On Sunday, December 22nd, during a mass presided over by Mons. Alejandro Pardo, auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, Father Salvador Gómez, L.C., took on the role of parish priest of the Parish of Santa María de Betania, a parish entrusted to the Legion of Christ, in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. In the parish work, in addition to Father Salvador, the priests Héctor Esquitín and Raúl González, LLCC, collaborate.
Furthermore, on December 18th, the 30th anniversary of the Legion of Christ’s arrival in Buenos Aires was also commemorated. Originally, the parish was called Santa María Magdalena de Betania, a name that was changed to the current Santa María de Betania in memory of the sister of Martha and Lazarus. María lived in Betania, a village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Jesus stayed at her house at least three times, according to the website Iglesias de Buenos Aires.
In the past, the Catholic Church identified María de Betania with Mary Magdalene, the “sinful woman,” and the woman of Betania, and was therefore recognized as Mary Magdalene, with all the festivities and activities associated with her.
It was on December 18, 1994, during a mass at the Parish of Santa María de Betania, that the agreement was signed between the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ to undertake this mission. On the archdiocesan side, Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, then archbishop of Buenos Aires, was present, and on the Legion side, Father Raymund Cosgrave, LC, representative of the Legionaries of Christ.
Father José María Escribano, LC, was introduced as the interim parish priest (Father Javier Tena, LC, who was supposed to assume this role, had a medical intervention and arrived a few months later to take on the position), Father Arturo Díaz, LC, as vicar of the parish, and Father Antonio Rivero, LC. The celebrations for this anniversary will be held in March 2025.
