Radio Maria (Spanish: Radio María; Portuguese: Rádio Maria; Croatian: Radio Marija; Maltese: Radju Marija; Lithuanian: Marijos Radijas; Hungarian: Mária Rádió; Russian: Радио Мария; Ukrainian: Радіо Марія; Dutch: Radio Maria; known in Germany as Radio Horeb), formally known as The World Family of Radio Maria, is an international Catholic radio broadcasting service founded in Erba, province of Como, in the diocese of Milan, Italy, in 1987.

Radio Maria
Broadcast areaWorldwide
FrequencyFM, AM, shortwave, cable,
SCA/SCMO, DAB, DRM, DVB-T,
Satellite, Sirius XM,
Internet streaming
Programming
FormatCatholic radio
Ownership
OwnerAssociazione Radio Maria (The World Family of Radio Maria)
Vatican Radio
History
First air date
1987 (1987)
Links
WebcastAmerica, Europe, Africa, Asia & Oceania
Websitewww.radiomaria.org

The World Family of Radio Maria was formed in 1998, mainly based on the Our Lady of Medjugorje apparitions and messages, and today has branches in 86 countries around the world. Its mission includes liturgy, catechesis, spirituality, devotions, prayer, spiritual assistance with everyday issues, information, music, and culture.

History

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Its first broadcast facility was from a parish in Arcellasco d'Erba (province of Como, Italy), but in 1987 it became a separate entity outside its home parish as an association of lay people and priests as Radio Maria Italia. In less than five years, it grew into a national Catholic radio network throughout Italy. Though not directly connected with the Roman Catholic hierarchy, it was founded as an instrument of the Church and as a tool for evangelization, implementing and adhering to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Initially it was inspired by the appeals made by the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fátima, Portugal, and in more recent years based on the Marian messages from Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, pleading for worldwide conversion. As such, Radio Maria is not subsidized or funded by the Roman Catholic Church; instead it is underwritten by listener contributions.

 
Worldwide presence of Radio Maria broadcasters.

In 1994, the principal founder don M. Galbiati left Radio Maria and founded Radio Mater, also in Arcellasco d'Erba, as a totally separate entity. Since 5 September 1994 transmissions started in Albavilla in the province of Como. The Liturgy of the Hours is diffused in the Roman Rite. Radio Mater is broadcast via radio in Italy, in Europe via satellite (DVB-S Hot Bird), and worldwide via Internet (WMP).

 
Radio Maria's studio in Switzerland.
 
Radio Maria's outdoor advertising in the Philippines.

The World Family of Radio Maria was formed in 1998 out of its subsequent international growth in the 1990s, and pursuant to the 1987 speech by Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square addressing the need for a new evangelization. Emanuele Ferrario (inspired by the Pope's words to form a new evangelization) is the founder and president of Radio Maria, Inc., which has since grown into an association of 40 multilingual broadcast operations in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Overall, Radio Maria operates approximately 1,500 radio transmitters worldwide.

Radio Maria USA

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Its United States of America operation is one of the newest to join the World Family, in May 2000, with KJMJ (AM) in Alexandria, Louisiana, being the originating English-language station, together with a network of several FM and AM repeaters in Louisiana, an AM station in Port Arthur, Texas, on 1250 AM (KDEI), and an FM repeater in Anna, Ohio. An AM repeater in Springfield, Ohio, east of Dayton, commenced broadcasting in June 2008 with new FM repeaters in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, coming on the air in June 2009, D'Iberville, Mississippi, and Peshtigo, Wisconsin, both in May 2010. Spanish-language and Italian-language programming is heard on FM subcarrier frequencies in Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York City and Washington, D.C.. Italian-language programming can also be heard on the New York City FM subcarrier as well as French Canadian and English speaking services on FM subcarriers in Toronto, Ontario. Audiostreaming is available from most of these stations.

World Family of Radio Maria

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Radio stations in Europe

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Nation Radio station Language Website Availability Catholic Church
  Albania Radio Maria Shqiptare Albanian http://www.radiomaria.al/ FM coverage in major cities of Albania Albania
  Armenia Radio Maria Armenia Armenian http://www.radiomariam.am/ Armenia
  Austria Radio Maria Österreich German http://www.radiomaria.at/ FM in selected cities; digital and cable nationwide Austria
  Belarus Radio Maria Belarus Belarusian http://www.radiomaria.by/ Internet streaming Belarus
  Belgium Radio Maria België Dutch http://www.radiomaria.be/ FM and DAB+ coverage of Flanders (Belgium) Belgium
  Bosnia and Herzegovina Radio Marija BiH Croatian http://www.radiomarija.ba/ FM in Sarajevo and Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Croatia Radio Marija Hrvatska http://www.radiomarija.hr/ FM in Zagreb, Split and Virovitica[1] Croatia
  France Radio Maria France French http://www.radiomaria.fr/ 1467 AM in Southern France, 95.4 FM in Monaco France
  Germany Radio Horeb German http://www.horeb.org/ Affiliate station.
FM in selected areas; digital and cable nationwide
Germany
  Hungary Mária Rádió Magyarország Hungarian http://www.mariaradio.hu/ FM national coverage Hungary
  Ireland Radio Maria Ireland English http://www.radiomaria.ie/ Saorview (digital terrestrial television) channel 210 Ireland
  Italy Radio Maria Italia Italian http://www.radiomaria.it/ FM national coverage in Italy,
parts of Switzerland and Austria;
FM coverage in major cities of Albania.
DAB+ and DVB-T coverage in selected areas in Italy.
Italy
Radio Maria Südtirol German http://www.radiomaria.bz.it/ FM coverage in South Tyrol (Italy) and Tyrol (Austria) South Tyrol
  Kosovo Radio Maria Kosovë Albanian http://www.radiomariakosove.org/ Kosovo
  Latvia Radio Marija Latvija Latvian http://www.rml.lv/ FM coverage (93.2 FM in Valka, 97.0 FM in Krāslava, 97.1 FM in Liepāja, 97.3 FM in Rīga, 106.0 FM in Cēsis) Latvia
  Lithuania Marijos Radijas Lietuva Lithuanian http://www.marijosradijas.lt/ FM national coverage Lithuania
  Malta Radju Marija Malta Maltese http://www.radjumarija.org/ FM national coverage (102.3 FM in Malta, and 107.8 in Gozo). DAB+ Malta
  Monaco Radio Maria Monaco Italian http://www.radiomaria.it/ FM national coverage Monaco
  Netherlands Radio Maria Nederland Dutch http://www.radiomaria.nl/ DAB+ national coverage, and internet Netherlands
  North Macedonia Радио Марија Македонија Macedonian http://www.radiomarija.mk/ FM in Strumica North Macedonia
  Portugal Rádio Maria Portugal Portuguese http://www.radiomaria.pt/ FM national coverage (102.2 FM in Lisbon, 100.8 FM in Porto and 97.5 FM in Alentejo) Portugal
  Romania Radio Maria România Romanian http://www.radiomaria.ro/ FM in Transylvania: Oradea, Zalău, Blaj and Baia Mare Romania
Mária Rádió Erdély Hungarian http://www.mariaradio.ro/ FM in Transylvania: Oradea, Hargita and Tășnad
  Russia Радио Мария Russian http://www.radiomaria.ru/ Internet streaming Russia
  San Marino Radio Maria San Marino Italian http://www.radiomaria.it/ FM national coverage San Marino
  Serbia Radio Marija Srbija Serbian http://www.radiomarija.rs/ FM in some cities, mainly in Vojvodina, but also in the south and southeast of the country Serbia
Mária Rádió Szerbia Hungarian http://www.mariaradio.rs/
  Slovakia Mária Rádió Felvidék http://www.mariaradio.sk/ Slovakia
  Spain Radio María España Spanish http://www.radiomaria.es/ DAB+ and FM national coverage in Spain and Andorra Spain
   Switzerland Radio Maria Deutschschweiz German http://www.radiomaria.ch/

http://www.radiomaria-sr.ch/ (in French)

DAB+ and cable in the German-speaking part of Switzerland Switzerland
  Ukraine Радіо Марія Ukrainian http://www.radiomaria.org.ua/ 69.68 FM (OIRT band) in Kyiv Ukraine
  United Kingdom Radio Maria England English http://radiomariaengland.uk/ DAB+ in London, DAB in Cambridgeshire, DAB+ in Bristol United Kingdom
  Vatican City Radio Maria Italia Italian http://www.radiomaria.it/ FM national coverage Vatican State

Radio stations in Asia

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Nation Radio Station Language Website Availability Catholic Church
  Indonesia Radio Maria Indonesia Indonesian http://www.radiomaria.co.id/ 104.2 FM in Medan, North Sumatra Indonesia
  Iraq Radio Mariam Erbil Arabic http://www.radiomariam.iq/ 104.9 FM in Erbil Iraq
  Israel Radio Maria Nazareth – Holy Land Arabic http://www.radiomariam.org.il/ Israel
  India Radio Maria India English http://www.radiomaria.org.in/ India
  Lebanon Radio Maria Liban French Lebanon
  Macau Radio Maria Macau Chinese http://www.radiomaria.mo/ Macau
  Philippines Radio Maria Philippines English http://www.radiomaria.ph/ FM in 4 cities, mainly on Luzon Island; cable coverage in selected areas, Cignal Channel 315 Philippines
Radyo Maria Pilipinas Filipino
Middle East Radio Mariam Arabic http://www.radiomariam.org/ Internet radio Middle East

Radio stations in Oceania

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Nation Radio Station Language Website Availability Catholic Church
  Papua New Guinea Radio Maria Papua New Guinea English http://www.radiomariapng.org/ FM national coverage[2] and Shortwave[3] Papua New Guinea
  Australia Radio Maria Australia http://www.radiomaria.org.au/ DAB+ in Sydney and Melbourne Australia

Radio stations in Africa

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Nation Radio station Language Website Availability Catholic Church
  Angola Radio Maria Angola Portuguese https://www.radiomaria.co.ao/ Angola
  Burkina Faso Radio Maria Burkina Faso French http://www.radiomariaburkinafaso.org/ 91.6 FM in Ouagadougou, 96.9 FM in Koupéla Burkina Faso
  Burundi Radio Maria Burundi http://www.radiomaria.bi/ FM in major cities Burundi
  Cameroon Radio Maria Cameroon http://www.radiomaria.cm/ Cameroon
  Central African Republic Radio Maria Centrafrique http://www.radiomariacentrafrique.org/ FM in major cities Central African Republic
  Democratic Republic of the Congo Radio Maria RDC, Kinshasa
Radio Maria RDC, Bukavu
Radio Maria RDC, Goma
Radio Maria RDC, Kananga
French

Lingala Swahili Luba-Lulua

http://www.radiomaria.cd/ Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Equatorial Guinea Radio María Guinea Ecuatorial Spanish http://www.radiomaria.gq/ Equatorial Guinea
  Gabon Radio Maria Gabon French http://www.radiomariagabon.org/ FM in major cities Gabon
  Guinea Radio Voix de la Paix https://www.radiovoixdelapaix.org/ FM in major cities (Conakry 100,7 FM) Guinea
  Ivory Coast Radio Maria Côte d'Ivoire http://www.radiomaria.ci/ FM in major cities Ivory Coast
  Kenya Radio Maria Kenya English http://www.radiomaria.co.ke/ 88.1 FM in Murang'a Kenya
  Lesotho Radio Maria Lesotho https://www.radiomaria.co.ls/ FM national coverage Lesotho
  Liberia Radio Maria Liberia https://www.radiomaria.com.lr/ Liberia
  Madagascar Radio Maria Madagascar French http://www.radiomaria.mg/ Madagascar
  Malawi Radio Maria Malawi Chichewa

Chiyao Chitumbuka English[4]

http://www.radiomaria.mw/ Malawi
  Mozambique Rádio Maria Moçambique Portuguese http://www.radiomaria.org.mz/ FM in major cities Mozambique
  Republic of the Congo Radio Maria Congo French http://www.radiomaria.cg/ Republic of the Congo
  Rwanda Radio Maria Rwanda Kinyarwanda

French English

http://www.radiomaria.rw/ FM national coverage Rwanda
  Sierra Leone Radio Maria Sierra Leone English http://www.radiomaria.sl/ FM in major cities[5] Sierra Leone
  South Africa Radio Veritas http://www.radioveritas.co.za/ Affiliate station.
576 AM in Meyerton
South Africa
  Tanzania Radio Maria Tanzania English

Swahili

http://www.radiomaria.co.tz/ FM in major cities Tanzania
  Togo Rádio Maria Togo French http://www.radiomaria.tg/ Togo
  Uganda Radio Maria Uganda English

Luganda

http://www.radiomaria.ug/ Uganda
  Zambia Radio Maria Zambia English https://www.radiomaria.co.zm/ FM in major cities, covering also areas of Malawi and Mozambique Zambia

Radio stations in the Americas

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Nation Radio station Language Website Availability Catholic Church
  Argentina Radio María Argentina Spanish http://www.radiomaria.org.ar/ AM and FM national coverage Argentina
  Bolivia Radio María Bolivia http://www.radiomaria.org.bo/ FM national coverage Bolivia
  Brazil Rádio Maria Brasil Portuguese http://www.radiomaria.org.br/ 99.9 FM in Goiânia Brazil
  Canada Radio Maria Canada Italian

Spanish

http://www.radiomaria.ca/ FM subcarriers in Montréal (CIRA-FM 91.3) and Toronto (CHIN-FM 100.7) Canada
HMWN Radio Maria English http://www.radiomaria.ca/ FM subcarrier in Toronto (CFNY-FM 102.1)
  Chile Radio María Chile Spanish http://www.radiomaria.cl/ FM national coverage Chile
  Colombia Radio María Colombia http://www.radiomariacol.org/ AM in major cities Colombia
  Costa Rica Radio María Costa Rica http://www.radiomaria.cr/ 610 AM in San José Costa Rica
  Dominican Republic Radio María República Dominicana http://www.radiomaria.org.do/ 1240 AM in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
  Ecuador Radio María Ecuador http://www.radiomariaecuador.org/ FM national coverage Ecuador
  El Salvador Radio María El Salvador http://www.radiomaria.org.sv/ 810 AM nationwide and 107.3 FM in San Salvador El Salvador
  Guatemala Radio María Guatemala http://www.radiomaria.org.gt/ FM national coverage Guatemala
  Honduras Radio María Honduras https://www.radiomaria.hn/ Honduras
  Mexico Radio María México https://radiomariamexico.com.mx/ Multiple stations, most owned by Fundación Cultural para la Sociedad Mexicana Mexico
  Nicaragua Radio María Nicaragua http://www.radiomaria.org.ni/ 1400 AM Managua, FM in major cities Nicaragua
  Panama Radio María Panamá http://www.radiomaria.pa/ FM national coverage Panama
  Paraguay ZPV137 Radio María Paraguay http://www.radiomaria.org.py/ 107.3 FM in Areguá Paraguay
  Puerto Rico Radio María Puerto Rico https://www.radiomariapr.org/ FM national coverage Puerto Rico
  Peru Radio María Perú http://www.radiomariaperu.org/ Peru
  Uruguay Radio María Uruguay http://www.radiomaria.org.uy/ FM in major cities, 1470 AM in Melo Uruguay
  USA Radio Maria United States English http://www.radiomaria.us/ AM and FM in Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin; FM HD3 affiliate in Miami, Florida (programming originates from station KJMJ.) United States of America
Radio Maria Stati Uniti Italian http://nyi.radiomaria.us/ Archived 3 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine FM subcarriers in NYC, Chicago and Bridgeport
Radio María Estados Unidos Spanish http://www.radiomariasp.org/ FM subcarriers in Boston, NYC, Washington, Chicago and Houston
  Venezuela Radio María Venezuela http://www.radiomaria.org.ve/ Archived 15 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine 1450 AM in Caracas Venezuela

Programming

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Radio Maria's studio in Chile.

Programming mostly consists of traditional Catholic worship music, but some stations also air a mix of traditional and contemporary Catholic music, along with various talk and teaching programs discussing the Catholic faith, frequent recitals of the Holy Rosary, novenas, and Masses.

Facilities

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Radio Maria's programming mostly emanates from one centrally located studio or station in a given region or country, and is then re-broadcast (or "simulcast") on a network of repeater transmitters on the AM and FM bands. Some employ the use of a subcarrier, also known as SCA (for "Subsidiary Communications Authority") facilities of FM stations, requiring the use of a receiver designed to receive SCA signals. Since the emergence of the internet, audio-streaming has been used extensively as a means to help fill in gaps left by the unavailability of AM or FM frequencies in metropolitan areas already taken up by commercial, public, or other religious broadcasters.

Starting in June 2008, there have been shortwave transmissions originating from Italy at 26 MHz and at 26.01 MHz DRM making it the only (and last) shortwave service originating in Italy besides Vatican Radio.[6] There are presently no commercial satellite radio subscription services (such as Sky Digital, Sirius or XM) of Radio Maria. However, its Spanish-language, Italian-language, and Polish-language stations may be available in some areas served by the Dish Pronto division of Dish Network, a satellite television subscription service.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ List of radio programme content providers, Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency, retrieved 25 October 2011
  2. ^ Catholic Radio Network of Papua New Guinea. "Brief History". Archived from the original on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  3. ^ Bclnews (30 March 2011). "4960kHz Radio Maria Papua Nuova Guinea". Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Origins and history – Radio Maria Malawi". Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Radio Maria – Sierra Leone" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  6. ^ Italradio – Osservatorio Radiofonia Internazionale in Lingua Italiana (23 June 2008). "Radio Maria: the last and only Short Wave from Italy". Retrieved 14 June 2011.[permanent dead link]
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