THE ONE WHO PRAYS
HAS NO FEAR OF TOMORROW
BEING PROVIDENCE FOR OTHERS
T
he numerous and generous gifts of Radio Maria listeners make our Mariathon a true celebration of joy and love every year. It is a celebration that unleashes the power of the Kingdom of God, as written in the Book of Isaiah: “If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday; then the Lord will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, will give strength to your bones and you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail”(Is 58:10–11). So let us gather all our strength again this year and invite everyone to participate in our Mariathon. “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3), Mary said during the Wedding at Cana, seeing the need. Likewise today, she sees where Radio Maria has no more wine or where it has not yet been poured. Heavenly Providence has again entrusted us with many new countries, projects, and opportunities for 2022 and now Jesus is asking us for enough water to fill six jars. We well remember how many times Providence has helped us so wonderfully. Today we are called to be Providence for others. What a privilege! To gather gifts so that the Lord can work miracles! Do you also believe that this wine of Jesus’ love can work miracles? Then let us raise up the valleys, make low the mountains, and pave the rough ways (see Lk 3:5) so that we can race this Mariathon together towards new “peoples and nations”, bringing the Lord’s presence through Radio Maria. A good Mariathon to us all!
“Today We Are Called to be Providence for Others.” LOOK NOW
SUMMARY
EDITORIAL FATHER LIVIO FANZAGA VITTORIO VICCARDI AFRICA NIGERIA SOUTH SUDAN GABON MALAWI ANGOLA MOZAMBIQUE KIBEHO (RWANDA) AMERICA COLOMBIA NICARAGUA BRAZIL THE MIDDLE EAST LEBANON EUROPE SPECIAL PROJECTS
A GIFT FROM MARY
D “Radio Maria Is a Gift from Mary, a Gift from the Queen of Peace.” Father Livio Fanzaga
LOOK NOW
ear Friends of Radio Maria, The Mariathon is one of Radio Maria’s most beautiful moments because it sees so many people’s participation, their joy, their gratitude for the gifts of Radio Maria, as well as the desire to make their own contribution to spreading Radio Maria in the world. It is first and foremost a spiritual moment because we need to become aware of what is truly a gift from Mary. Radio Maria is Mary’s gift, a gift of the Queen of Peace. We see how it has miraculously spread throughout the world, supported by the people’s love, especially the simplest and poorest people who many times have made personal and familial sacrifices to help Radio Maria. During the Mariathon, there is this moment of finding ourselves coming together to thank Our Lady for this wonderful gift that she has given us, because she has given us this seed that has been planted, watered, and – like a small mustard seed – it has grown into a large tree in the garden of the Church. That is what Radio Maria has become. So it is a giving thanks to Our Lady for this gift but, at the same time, it is also the Mariathon, a moment to become aware of our responsibilities. Our Lady has put this gift in our hands. It is as if she has given us the talents to make it blossom and we can see how these talents have truly borne fruit over time, how we have reached the achievement of 122 Radio Maria stations around the world. It is something marvelous, a true miracle of the Queen of Peace, but it is a miracle that Our Lady has performed with our contribution, with our joy, our enthusiasm, and sometimes even with very great sacrifices. Dear Friends, I would like to say that this is a sign of the times: in these difficult times we are going through, a time of suffering, a time of trials, a time of unrest and of confusion, Our Lady truly knows how much we need this radio, which enlightens, guides, comforts, and gives peace. The Mariathon, therefore, is also a time to bring new energy to spreading Radio Maria, because Our Lady is in a hurry! She is eager to reach everywhere. We see how they call us from all sides and we must therefore be up to these times, we must respond to the call generously. And remember, dear Friends, that everything we offer to Our Lady we will receive a hundredfold in paradise. Happy Mariathon!
“Moment of worldwide solidarity arose to respond to the requests for new Radio Maria stations around the world”. Vittorio Viccardi
LOOK NOW
WALKING WITH RADIO MARIA: A PATH OF SOLIDARITY THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS
D
ear Friends, this year Radio Maria’s International Mariathon turns 10 years old. In fact, it was during the Conference at Collevalenza, Italy in 2012 that the idea of creating this moment of worldwide solidarity arose to respond to the requests for new Radio Maria stations around the world. Without this call for solidarity and the missionary response from you, our supporters, today in Africa we would have less than half of the listeners and repeaters we currently count and it would be impossible to have Radio Maria in countries such as Portugal and England, impossible to provide technical services such as satellite coverage or to incorporate new technologies such as the internet and apps, impossible to listen to Radio Maria in the Middle East, impossible to have uplinks and rosaries from the Shrine of Kibeho or from Nazareth, impossible to hear Radio Maria in Chinese. It would be unthinkable to imagine Radio Maria without these stations and activities that you have made possible with your generosity, walking alongside Radio Maria, responding to the call with your small sacrifices and your prayers. Today, Radio Maria is called to an even more important mission: to be present in areas of conflict such as Eastern Europe, helping small Christian communities have a community voice. Being a presence of perseverance and love often implies a missionary courage, which is bearing and will continue to bear fruit in people’s hearts and which will overcome division and hatred. Thank you for your help with the Mariathon 2022 mission.
GROWTH GOALS
2022 TURN ON A NEW STATION T
oday more than ever, the thirst for God is felt in the hearts and spirits of many people. Despite the situations of pandemic, crisis, and war, the World Family, through the Radio Maria Project, brings a message of hope and support to many people. It is an immense organizational and operational undertaking. We have to cope with the many restrictions currently in place. Our commitment remains constant and we hope to be able to satisfy all the requests to start up new Radio Maria stations that we have received from local churches. It is a mission that we want to share with those who listen to us, support us, and are close to us. This is why, entrusting ourselves to Divine Providence, we are appealing to the generosity of those who appreciate our work, so that you may help us reach as many people as possible with our voice of hope.
AFRICA
NIGERIA Radio Maria
for 35 Million People
PROJECT GOALS:
¤ Acquiring 7 new frequencies and installing repeaters ¤ Creating 2 substations ¤ Acquiring and installation of audio frequency equipment
NIGERIA
€ 1,530,000
THE JOY OF EVANGELIZING 206 millions
Current status: The national radio network consists of 1 active station and the signal currently covers 3 million people out of a total population of approximately 206 million. About 36 million people in Nigeria profess the Catholic faith. Radio Maria has had a presence in this country since 2019. The project: In 2019, the request of the cardinal of the Archdiocese of Abuja and the enthusiasm of the local laity allowed the World Family of Radio Maria to launch the Radio Maria Project in Nigeria. Radio Maria is the first major Catholic radio station in Nigeria. It will be officially inaugurated on 25 March 2022 by the archbishop.
36 millions
3millions 1 ACTIVE STATION
“With means like Radio Maria, we will be able to reach our people.” Bishop William Amove Avenya
Kaduna
Abuja
Jos
Makurdi Gboko
Ibadan Asaba Benin City
Enugu
Onitsha
Owerri Port Harcourt
LOOK NOW Headquarters Repeater under construction Substation under construction Mariathon 2022
SOUTH SUDAN Radio Maria
for 20 Thousand People
PROJECT GOALS
¤ Installing a transmitter in the town of Tumbura
SOUTH SUDAN
€ 40,000
BRINGING HOPE TO THE HOPELESS 11 millions
6 millions
“Reaching Out to All to Build Reconciliation.”
530 thousand 2 ACTIVE STATIONS
Current status: The national radio network has 2 active stations located in Juba and Jambio. Currently, the signal reaches 530 thousand people out of a total of about 11 million inhabitants. In South Sudan, about 6 million people profess the Catholic faith. Radio Maria has had a presence in this country since 2019. The project: In 2019, the National Bishops’ Conference requested Radio Maria’s presence to evangelize and promote a culture of peace and fraternal reconciliation. The main office is located in Juba and will be officially inaugurated by Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla in 2022.
Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala
LOOK NOW
Headquarters Transmitter work in progress Substation active Mariathon 2022
Tambura
Juba
GABON Radio Maria
for 600 Thousand People
PROJECT GOALS
¤ Restructuring the current diocesan station ¤ Audio and radio frequency materials
GABON
€ 265,000
HELP US BRING THE WORD EVERYWHERE 2 millions
1 million
50 thousand 1 ACTIVE STATION
Current status: The national radio network consists of 1 active station. More than 40 different ethnic groups, with their own languages and traditions, live in Gabon and the country is divided into 9 provinces. The signal currently reaches 50 thousand people out of a total of more than 2 million inhabitants, of which about 1 million profess the Catholic faith. The project: In August of 2020, Archbishop Jean-Patrick Iba-Ba of Libreville asked for Radio Maria Gabon to be established in his archdiocese. The population of Libreville makes up 60% of the country’s entire population, which is mainly Catholic. The station’s current headquarters located in the city of Oyem will be transformed into a substation.
“Libreville will become the main station of Radio Maria Gabon’s network.” Paolo Taffuri
Oyem
Libreville
LOOK NOW
Headquarters Substation active Mariathon 2022
MALAWI A new Studio for Radio Maria
PROJECT GOALS
¤ To finish outfitting the building ¤ To acquire and send the audio and radio frequency materials needed for the new premises
MALAWI
€ 150,000
“In Lilongwe, the station will be able to be closer to many more people, which will help us carry out evangelization.” Father Joseph Kimu
Karonga
LOOK NOW
Mzuzu Chikangawa
Dowa
Lilongwe
Monkey Bay Namwera
Dedza
Mangochi
Zomba
Blantyre Headquarters Transmitter active Substation active Mariathon 2022
VOICES OF THE VOICELESS 19 millions
7 millions
15 millions 11 ACTIVE STATIONS
Current status: The national radio network consists of 11 active stations (FM frequencies) and 3 that are under construction. Currently, the signal reaches more than 15 million people out of a total of 19 million inhabitants, of which almost 7 million profess the Catholic faith. Radio Maria has been present in this country since 1999. The project: Radio Maria Malawi was established in the Diocese of Mangochi, where the main studio is currently located. In order to better serve the national network, a new office will be built in Lilongwe. It is now necessary to acquire a broadcasting studio in order to provide the station with state-of-the-art equipment.
ANGOLA Radio Maria
for 250 Thousand People
PROJECT GOALS
¤ Renovating the audio and radio frequency equipment in the diocesan radio station’s studios and transforming it into Radio Maria’s new headquarters
This project will provide the station with new equipment and a state-of-the-art studio to facilitate the spread of Radio Maria in the country.
€ 120,000
ANGOLA
BEING CLOSE TO THE LEAST AMONG US 33 millions
18 millions
14 millions 1 ACTIVE STATION
Headquarters Substation work in progress Mariathon 2022
Current status: The national radio network is made up of 1 active radio station. The signal currently covers about 14 million people out a total of about 33 million inhabitants, of which about 18 million profess the Catholic faith. The project: The bishop of Uíge asked for Radio Maria’s presence in his diocese as well, granting us the diocesan radio’s studios. This project will provide the station with new equipment and a state-of-theart studio.
Luanda
Uige
MOZAMBIQUE A new Headquarters for Radio Maria
PROJECT GOAL
¤ Building a national headquarters in Maputo
MOZAMBIQUE MOZAMBICO
€ 300,000
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TOGETHER 31 millions
3 millions Current status: The national radio network consists of 8 stations covering the southern and part of the central region of the country. Currently the signal reaches more than 5 million people out of a total of about 31 million inhabitants, of which more than 3 million profess the Catholic faith. Radio Maria has been present in this country since 1995. The project: Our radio activities began in Machava, on the outskirts of Maputo, in premises owned by the local parish. The new Radio Maria headquarters will be established on lands that we acquire.
5millions 8 ACTIVE STATIONS
Quelimane
Nova Mambone Vilankulo
Chokwe
Maputo
Maxixe Quissico Xai-Xai
Headquarters Transmitter active Substation active Mariathon 2022
“It would guarantee a suitable building for hosting an efficient radio station in terms of technical and technological aspects.” Luis Bila
LOOK NOW
KIBEHO A New Spirituality Center
for Priests
KIBEHO (RWANDA)
€ 250,000
MARY, TEACH US TO PRAY
Current status: Radio Maria has been present at the Shrine of Kibeho for about 4 years. A center of spirituality, it unites millions of listeners from all over Africa and the world in prayer every week. Thanks to its strong Marian vocation, the Shrine of Kibeho is a privileged place of formation for priests. The project: We want to set up a dedicated space to allow state-of-the-art training for the directors of all the African Radio Maria stations.
Kigali Gitarama Karongi
Byumba Jari
Gihundwe
Kibeho
Huye
Headquarters Transmitter active
“A bridge of prayer that unites Africa to the other continents.” Jean Paul Kayihura
Substation active Mariathon 2022 Sanctuary
LOOK NOW
SPECIAL SUPPORT
“Today, Radio Maria has spread to many African countries thanks to your generosity and we ask you to continue to support the radio with your prayers and donations.” Father Roger Wawa
LOOK NOW
STATIONS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC
€ 200,000
INCREASED ELECTRICITY COSTS
€ 300,000
RENEWAL OF SATELLITE CONTRACTS
€ 260,000
Julius Humphrey Kira
LOOK NOW
NECESSARY INVESTMENTS
€ 3,415,000 South Sudan
Nigeria Gabon Angola
Rwanda Malawi
NIGERIA
ACQUIRING 7 NEW FREQUENCIES AND CREATING 2 SUBSTATIONS
SOUTH SUDAN
INSTALLING A TRANSMITTER IN TUMBURA
GABON
RESTRUCTURING THE CURRENT DIOCESAN STATION
265,000
MALAWI
NEW STUDIO IN LILONGWE
150,000
ANGOLA
NEW SUBSTATION IN UIGE
120,000
MOZAMBIQUE
NEW HEADQUARTERS OF RADIO MARIA
300,000
RWANDA
NEW STUDIO IN KIBEHO
250,000
STATIONS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC
200,000
INCREASED ELECTRICITY COSTS
300,000
RENEWAL OF SATELLITE CONTRACTS
260,000
SPECIAL SUPPORT
1,530,000 40,000
Mozambique
TOTAL
3,415,000
AMERICA
COLOMBIA A new Studio
for Radio Maria
PROJECT GOALS
¤ Audio frequency materials for the studios of the headquarters in Bogota
COLOMBIA
€ 150,000
KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES 51 millions
Current status: The national radio network is made up of 34 active stations, 7 of which are owned while the others are rented. Currently, the signal covers 13 million people out of a total of about 51 million inhabitants, of which about 48 million profess the Catholic faith. Radio Maria has been present in this country since 1996. The project: The need to keep Radio Maria’s Baranquilla signal up to date has made it necessary to replace the old studio with state-of-the-art equipment.
48 millions
13 millions 34 ACTIVE STATIONS
Turbo
“To offer a sharper and clearer service to our listeners.”
Medellin
Urrao
Manizales
Bogota
Father Germán Darío Acosta
Soacha Cali
LOOK NOW
Headquarters Transmitter active Mariathon 2022
34 stations, 7 of which we own
NICARAGUA A new Studio
for Radio Maria
PROJECT GOAL
¤ Audio frequency material for the studios of the main office in Managua
NICARAGUA
€ 150,000
EVANGELIZING CENTRAL AMERICA ,6 6 millions
6 millions
50 thousand 4
Current status: The national radio network consists of 4 active stations. Currently, the signal reaches mor than 50 thousand people out of a population of about 6.6 million, of which almost 6 million profess the Catholic faith. Radio Maria has been present in this country since 2001. The project: The need to evangelize, keeping in step with the times, makes it necessary to replace the old studio with modern equipment.
ACTIVE STATIONS
Headquarters Transmitter active Mariathon 2022
Father Ildefonso Vargas
LOOK NOW
Chinandega Leon
“That is why your support, your collaboration, is important, so that our station can continue to evangelize with digital technology and with better equipment.”
Managua
Rivas
BRAZIL Radio Maria
for 3.5 Million People
PROJECT GOALS
¤ Audio and radio frequency materials ¤ License acquisition
“We are a people full of faith and love for Jesus and Our Lady.” Father Warlen Maxwell
LOOK NOW
€ 150,000
BRAZIL
A GROWING REALITY 213 millions
180 millions
Current status: Radio Maria Brazil is currently a web radio and can be listened to via internet. Brazil has a population of approximately 213 million people, of which about 180 million profess the Catholic faith. Thanks to the support of the bishop of Goiania and donations received in past years, it was possible to start construction on the new Radio Maria. The building construction has been completed. Radio Maria has been present in this country since 1996. The project: Negotiations to acquire a government license have begun. It is now necessary to buy and send the audio and radio frequency equipment.
Goiania
Headquarters Mariathon 2022
NECESSARY INVESTMENTS
€ 760,000
Nicaragua Colombia
Brazil
COLOMBIA
AUDIO FREQUENCY MATERIALS FOR THE STUDIOS OF THE HEADQUARTERS IN BOGOTA
150,000
NICARAGUA
AUDIO FREQUENCY MATERIALS FOR THE STUDIOS OF THE HEADQUARTERS IN MANAGUA
150,000
BRAZIL
AUDIO AND RADIO FREQUENCY MATERIALS LICENSE ACQUISITION
150,000
SPECIAL SUPPORT
RENEWAL OF SATELLITE CONTRACTS
310,000
TOTAL
760,000
THE MIDDLE EAST
LEBANON A New Broadcasting Frequency
for Radio Maria
PROJECT GOALS
¤ Acquiring a government license ¤ Sending audio and radio frequency materials
LEBANON
€ 400,000
BEING CLOSE TO THOSE WHO SUFFER IS OUR COMMITMENT Current status: Lebanon was a prosperous and developing country. The current political, institutional, and above all, economic crises have reduced the country to a situation of poverty and insecurity. Currently, about 7 million people live there, of whom about 3.5 million profess the Catholic faith. The project: The World Family, responding to the appeal of the local church, has initiated the first contacts to build and install a new Radio Maria in this country, located in the capital, Beirut. We have the possibility of acquiring a broadcasting license. Now it is important to acquire and send the audio and radio frequency materials.
7 millions
,5 3 millions
Beirut
Headquarters Mariathon 2022
“I beg you not to forget the Middle East, which is suffering greatly but still looks with hope towards the future thanks to Radio Maria.” Joseph Nassar
LOOK NOW
NECESSARY INVESTMENTS
€ 600,000
LIBANO
AUDIO AND RADIO FREQUENCY MATERIALS LICENSE ACQUISITION
400,000
SPECIAL SUPPORT
SUPPORT EFFORTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
200,000
TOTAL
Libano
A VOICE OF PEACE TO EVERY PERSON
600,000
Bringing a message of peace and hope to our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters is the mission of Radio Maria in the Middle East. This is why, on 8 December 2015, the World Family responded to the Church’s call and gave birth to Radio Mariam, the first Radio Maria in Arabic. It broadcasts from its headquarters in Rome. It has two offices and two mobile studios in Syria – in Damascus and Aleppo – as well as a mobile studio in Jordan and two mobile studios in Egypt – in Cairo and Luxor. Radio Maria also has a broadcasting station in Iraq, in the town of Erbil, and in Lebanon, in the city of Beirut. Your generosity is what allows Radio Maria to carry out its mission and expand in the Middle East, reaching the homes of new listeners.
EASTERN EUROPE SATELLITE
€ 90,000
EUROPE
SPECIAL
PROJECTS Marian Shrines and Mobile Studios.
Strengthening Marian Spirituality
“Let us bring our prayers to Our Lady and, at the same time, allow our Heavenly Mother to bring graces from the shrines to the whole world.” Bernhard Mitterrutzner
LOOK NOW
PROJECT GOALS ¤ Supporting the shrines’ work ¤ 100 new mobile studios
AT THE SERVICE OF THE HUMAN PERSON
Today more than ever, it is important to be able to count on an instrument that allows the Church to make the Word available and to satisfy the need for God in any time and any place. This is why the World Family of Radio Maria, starting from developing countries, supports the spread of the Radio Maria Project, providing support and assistance to create a local organizational culture and thus achieve the birth of new Radio Maria stations.
MARIAN SHRINES
€ 300,000
Dear Friends, What a great gift it is to be a global family! To be connected as a Radio Maria family not only at a national level, but with tens of millions of listeners across the globe, in over 80 countries. We experience this reality particularly when, as a worldwide family, we stop every now and then at one of the Marian shrines around the world and pray together – like from here in Guadalupe, where I am at this very moment. We bring our prayers to Our Lady and, at the same time, we allow our heavenly Mother to bring the graces from the shrines to the whole world. Again this year we want to continue to build and to carry out our service. We would like to continue our annual collective pilgrimage “Your People Making their Way” from nine shrines: Lourdes, Nazareth, Fatima, Medjugorje, Mount Carmel, Pompeii, Kibeho, Guadalupe and Rue de Bac. We want to make it possible so that every Radio Maria, at any time, can broadcast from these shrines. In order to do this, we need your help. Let’s help Our Lady bring the graces of her shrines to everyone around the world, especially to those who are too elderly, sick, or poor to be able to go on pilgrimage. Thank you for your participation!
100 NEW MOBILE STUDIOS
€ 200,000
The backbone of the evangelization work of the Radio Maria Project is the mobile studios that “give a voice to the voiceless” through daily links with parishes, hospitals, prisons, and homes for the elderly. The World Family has been able to create a new mobile studio at a lower cost, but not all Radio Maria stations can cover these costs. Most of the mobile studios – about 70 – are destined for the African continent, while the rest will be divided among Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. We need help for the poorest countries that, through using the mobile studios, can become true missionary lands of evangelization.
RADIO MARIA IN THE WORLD 82
Countries
90 Associations 29
substations in local language
20,000
over volunteers e 600.000 active donors
at the service of the Radio Maria Project all over the world
about 630 mobile studios at the service of the Radio Maria Project in nearly 3,600 parishes and local communities
over 700,000,000 people receiving the Radio Maria signal all over the world
Editing · Bernhard Mitterrutzner • Matteo Guerra Graphic design and layout · Paolo Marchetti • PICO Communications SA
Crediti fotografici: Avel Chuklanov / Unsplash - Mateus Campos Felipe / Unsplash - Toby Wong / Unsplash - Ben White / Unsplash Annie Spratt / Unsplash - Joshua Oluwagbemiga / Unsplash - Tope A. Asokere / Unsplash - Abdulaziz Mohammed / Unsplash Yusuf Yassir / Unsplash - Ralph Messi / Unsplash - Nathaniel Tetteh / Unsplash - Abrahan Echeverria / Unsplash Yolande Conradie / Unsplash - Martin Bekerman / Unsplash - Farah Nabil / Unsplash - Paolo Patruno - Stuart Isaac Harrier / Unsplash Farah Nabil / Unsplash - Jeff Ackey / Unsplash - Rogério Trilhafavela / Pexels - Nestor Morales / Unsplash - Paola Galimberti / Unsplash Leo Sanchez / Unsplash - Darerll Wagoner / Unsplash - William F. Santos / Unsplash - Andrea Leopardi / Unsplash - Tobias Tullius / Unsplash Jo Cassis/ Pexels - Charbel Karam / Unsplash - Michal Gadek / Unsplash - Charbel Aoun / Unsplash - Tania Mousinho / Unsplash - Simon Egle
© 2022 World Family of Radio Maria Onlus - All right reserved
Participating in the Mariathon means making a personal commitment with a donation. To carry out this project of love and extend it as far as the Virgin Mary wills, the help and contribution of many is essential.
THANK YOU
BECAUSE WORLD FAMILY PROJECTS LIVE WITH YOUR HELP
GROWTH GOALS
2022
TOTAL INVESTMENTS NEEDED
5,365,000 EUROS
Voice of Peace on Air REGISTERED OFFICE Via Rusticucci 13 · 00193 Roma, Italy T. +39 06 64005701 · F. +39 06 64005707 HEAD OFFICE Via Valassina 40 · 22036 Erba CO, Italy T. +39 031 2073350 · F. +39 031 2073351 info.wf@radiomaria.org
www.radiomaria.org