The Balkans await the visit of Pope Francis
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Periodical of the World Family of Radio Maria Association
Year II – Issue 8 –- September - October 2014
There is great expectation for the visit of Peter’s Successor: “a great gift for the Church and for the nation”
e heard the great news in St. Peter’s square in mid-June. News which surprised us all, just like this Pope always knows how to do. The Pope will make a one-day visit to the land of eagles, the land of martyrs, the land and nation of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. It is the second time in this country’s history that a Pope visits Albania. Pope John Paul II did so on
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25th April, 1993. At the time, the country was finding its way out of the hideous communist regime. On 21st September this year, the nation will prepare to welcome Pope Francis. There is great expectation for this event. There is great admiration for this Pope. Catholics, but also those belonging to other religions, respect and admire him. What is truly felt in the heart of everyone is that we feel honoured by the Pope, we feel embraced by him, through him we feel embraced by the Church, by the faithful of the entire world. It is precisely this security, this feeling of being united with the entire Universal Church that we are expecting from the Pope’s visit. Each person who heard this news spontaneously asked himself a que-
stion. Why has the Pope chosen to make his first visit in Europe, precisely in Albania? Are we the best or are we the ones with the most problems? He answered this question himself, on his way back from the apostolic journey which he happily accomplished over the last few days in South Korea. The Pope said that the reason for his trip to Albania is because this land of martyrs is a model of peaceful cohabitation between its various religions. During this period of crisis, of wars and various conflicts based on religion, where the blood of innocent people and of many Christians flows in the name of God in different regions, the Pope has decided on his own initiative to visitAlbania. During this visit he wants to encourage the popula-
RM Austria celebrates 16 years of life. The joy of director Fr. Andreas
adio Maria Austria began broadcasting on 12th September 1998. The greatest joy of recent months has been the ordination of our dear friend and collaborator Christoph Weiss (in the photo at the side wearing the red vestments beside the Director of RM Austria). Christoph not only collaborates with the Catechesis of Radio Maria, but also presents children’s programmes. Many Radio Maria listeners, coming from every part of the world, attended his ordination, which was held in St. Peter's on the day consecrated to Saints Peter and Paul. The Basilica of Saint Peter’s in St. Pölten (Austria) was packed to the brim and an elderly priest commented: “The Basilica has not been so crowded for centuries!” Christo-
ph’s first homily, with a missionary intent, recited: “Here am I. Send me!” (Is 6,8) a genuine motto for all Radio Maria collaborators. Every day, I ask myself: how can the mission of our radio go to the outskirts of existence, as Pope Francis continuously underlines? Is our biggest task to reach those who do not (no longer) believe in Christ? Holy Spirit, which works must we accomplish in your name? What must we do? I have been director for the past ten years, and yet I believe that this role has so much more road to travel, at least here in Austria. I fear it will be difficult to leave the ghetto of a static devotion which is self-sufficient, and I glimpse the risk of breathing a consumerist rather than a missionary spirit into our listeners. Holy
tion to continue peaceful and brotherly cohabitation among the different religions. The Pope also wants to offer the world a model, making people understand that it is possible to live and bear witness to one's faith and fully respect other religious convictions and beliefs. As Church and asAlbanians, we welcome him with joy, much enthusiasm, and an open heart. We await him like the Peter of our time, like the Vicar of Christ and successor of the head of the apostles. We know that his visit will positively influence the life of the Church and of the nation. We will leave the surprise to him! Welcome Pope Francis! Fr. Jeton Thaqi Director of RM Kosovo
RM IN THE WORLD
The joy of the Asians for the Pope’s visit
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RM IN THE WORLD Spirit, come and breathe on us! (Ez 37,9). Who knows if the year dedicated to consecrated life, announced by the Holy Father on the 500th anniversary of the birth of Teresa of Avila, and the intercession of this holy reformer will give new impetus to the joy inherent in prayer and evangelization. Fr. Andreas Schätzle, Director of RM Austria
Radio Maria Chile celebrates 18 years of life
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REDES SOCIALES WFRM is present on popular social networks
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