World Family of Radio Maria News - 10 ENG

Periodical of the World Family of Radio Maria Association

Year III – Issue 10 – January-February 2015

Seen, heard and experienced Jesus!

The story of Pope Francis’ visit to Asia as seen through the eyes of Radio Maria Philippines he Philippines in 2021 followed by St. John Paul and spiritually. The Chur- awakened the minds and will celebrate the II in 1981 for an apostolic ch and the Government hearts of Filipinos early on 500th year of the co- trip and in 1995 for the worked hard together in which contributed to the ming of Christianity to the World Youth Day, which planning, preparing and spirit of excitement and islands through the Spani- was attended by 5 million implementing the whole longing for the Pope’s cosh Missionaries who brou- people making it then the program of the pope’s vi- ming. ght the Catholic faith. And biggest gathering of huma- sit. While the people were Continue a page 2 in this half a millennium of nity for an event in history. strongly urged to welcome the faith in the country we Twenty years after came Pope Francis by living out were able to become the the visit of Pope Francis for the chosen theme of the “bastion of Catholicism” a State Visit and Apostolic trip, which is “Mercy and in Asia having 84% of the Journey breaking the pre- Compassion,” by means of estimated 100 million Fi- vious record for gathering frequenting the sacramenlipinos as members of the together an estimated 6 ts of God’s mercy and comChurch. But in this long hi- to 7 million people, Ca- passion: the Eucharist and story of the Catholic Chur- tholics and non-Catholics Confession; and that the ch in the Philippines there alike. The Philippine Chur- Filipino people may becoare only four times when ch formally announced the me “a nation of mercy and a reigning pontiff blessed visit of Pope Francis to the compassion” through an the land with his presence. country in July 29, 2014 everyday spiritual or corThe first was in 1970 with which high rocketed the poral work of mercy. These Blessed Paul VI, which was preparations logistically intense preparations has

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6th Conference of the World Family of Radio Maria

ear friends of Radio Maria around the world, we wish to inform you that the 6th World Conference organized by the association of the World Family of Radio Maria will be held this year with the title of “With

Mary on the streets of the world”. The meeting will start on Sunday 25th October, at the Shrine of Merciful Love in Collevalenza, with the presentation of the participating delegations, and end on Friday 30th October. We

invite you, from now, to remember this important occasion in your prayer intentions, so that it may be a meeting to renew peace and hope. Further details concerning the event will be sent to you over the coming months.

WORLD FAMILY Inaugurated two new Radio Maria

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HOLY SEE Pope Francis appoints 20 new cardinals page 4

RADIO MARIA The anniversaries of the Radios worldwide

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Seen, heard and experienced Jesus!

This could have well been the reason also why at the arrival of Pope Francis many traveled from far away places, individually or by group through all possible means of transportation including a team of Radio Maria staff and volunteers, to Manila and Tacloban just to warmly welcome and meet him even when it means only a fraction of a second after spending hours of lining up along the identified routes and venues of the papal visit under the heat of the sun and the coldness of a storm’s rain.

And in the midst of all these events the presence of the Holy Spirit was remarkably felt because of the various moving moments by which the mere presence of Pope Francis has touched the faith, the person and the core-self of many of the Filipinos. I was among the many who excitedly waited for the pope to pass by the long stretch of Quirino Avenue going to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila where Pope Francis stayed in the duration of the visit as the past pope’s who visited the country did. We wanted to be there that we might actually tell our Radio Maria listeners the first-hand

experience of the sentiments, the expectations and the prayers of the people as they meet Pope Francis as a spiritual leader and representative of Christ. As the pope passed by on his open popemobile shouts of welcome, gratitude, affection and love are on the air while hands are raised up either with a flag, a banner, a religious article or a camera. After he has passed by in just a matter of seconds you will see poignant scenes of people crying while embracing each other even as strangers, clapping while joyously shouting praises to God, sharing of taken photos while relating a goose bump experience or just standing quietly while savoring that once in a lifetime event of seeing a pope. But when I asked some people what it was like, one common answer came playing like an endless refrain in a song: “I have seen Jesus in him!”

Jesus became palpable to many Filipinos in the duration of the pope’s visit.

Jesus’ words became alive through the messages of the pope. Jesus turned the minds and hearts of many by means of the papal visit back to the Father.

The very purpose of the

visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines is actually to be with the survivors of that catastrophic typhoon “Yolanda”, the strongest on record, which displaced four million people, destroyed a million homes and took more than 6 thousand lives. The Pastoral Letter of the Bishops in the Philippines for the visit of the Supreme Pontiff says, “Our compassionate shepherd comes to show his deep concern for our people who have gone through devastating calamities, especially in the Visayas. Therefore, inspired by all these momentous incidents millions of Filipinos, from all walks of life and religious traditions, who were deeply touched came rushing down to Manila at the last day of the papal visit to say “thank you” to the Holy Father. Pope Francis in his encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas reminded us all through his impromptu speech that a heart that knows how to weep is a heart that can understand.

He even further gave this challenge, “If you don’t learn how to cry, you cannot be a good Christian.” Hence, he was able to teach us that the true essence of “Mercy and Compassion” is to have a heart that can cry for and with others especially the poor, the oppressed, the abandoned, the exploited, the forgotten, the wounded and the broken. How providential it was that the last event for Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines at Luneta to celebrate the Holy Mass with an estimated 6 -7 million people was

under the rain brought by “Amang!” The heavens was crying! It is the cry of “Amang.” It is the cry of the Father. The Almighty Father that wants us to see that He understands us, that His heart knows us in our struggles in rising from the challenges that beset us as a nation. And His cry has washed us all from our sins and has inundated us with His love. He confirmed to us all that indeed the Papal Visit to the Philippines is a radical turning point for our nation which have seen Jesus, heard Jesus, and experienced Jesus through Pope Francis whom he commissioned to send us as missionaries of God’s light, mercy and compassion to all the world! In all these experiences we at Radio Maria Philippines were all the more inspired and enlivened to perform our missionary tasks with Mary, our Mother, in bringing Christ into every Filipino home in the country and abroad as we faithfully did during the five day visit of Pope Francis that all our listeners may had also the chance to have seen, heard and experienced Jesus!

P. Raymund S. Cruz Director RM Philippines

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Inauguration of Radio Maria Macedonia

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n 8th of December, feast of Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, Radio Maria Macedonia was officially inaugurated. Official program of the Radio started with Magnificat singed by Cathedral Choir Sacred Heart of Jesus, accompanied with violin and electrical organ.

After that, volunteers prayed Magnificat on three languages (Macedonian, Albanian and Croatian). Then other group of voluntaries prayed Rosary on three languages, as symbol of unity of tree nationalities in our radio.

Don Preke Lazaraj was special delegate of WFRM, and he spoke to the listeners and to the guests in the Radio, explaining the charisma of Radio Maria. Furthermore spoke President of the

Radio Katica Trajkovska Abjanic and Director of the Radio mons. Antun Cirimotic. Bishop Kiro Stojanov, who blessed the studio of Radio Maria Macedonia on 19th of October (Missionary day) at the end of the official part of inauguration address give support and blessing to all who contributed this project to be realized in Macedonia. He also gived special thanks to World Family of Radio Maria and President Mr. Emanuele Ferario.

Radio Maria Macedonia is starting like a web radio, there are many interested volunteers especially young people who believe that will make good program whereby will help Church for new evangelization.

Ena Abjanic RM Macedonia

RM Equatorial Guinea

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adio Maria Equatorial Guinea is the first catholic radio station in this country where 93% of the people are catholic. In fact, the radio has been on air ever since December 8 2014. Technical experts of the World Family of Radio Maria have been

World Family of Radio Maria manages in spreading out its presence through all the international languages spoken in Africa: English, French, Portuguese and now Spanish in Guinea. Language is important as far as each Radio Maria in Africa is able to create an atmo-

working night and day in order to meet that date.

Indeed, following the works of structuring the radio seat and the delivery and customs clearance of material related to radiofrequency and audio frequency, the whole archdiocese of Malabo (the capital city) prepared Christmas through Radio Maria. Following the opening of Radio Maria in Equatorial Guinea, the

sphere of brotherhood, dialogue and communication with the other Radio Maria worldwide, in order to create a real family, which is a cultural aspect of a great value for Africans. So far, although all the necessary steps have been taken to put on air the radio in Equatorial Guinea, still we need a device costing 20.000 Euros allowing the mobile studios to reach catholic communities and broadcast the Holy Mass and other moments of prayer, with a view to extend Radio Maria’s signal to other dioceses of Equatorial Guinea.

WFRM Staff

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RM Cile gave little radios to inmates

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he devices were handed over during a Holy Mass presided by Archbishop Riccardo Ezzati in Saint Joachim women’s prison.

In order to help inmates of Saint Joachim prison and their families in approaching the Gospel, Radio Maria offered 50 portable radios as a symbolic Christmas gift. This happened during the Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop of Santiago, Riccardo Ezzati, who blessed the devices.

This gift, showing the image of the Holy Virgin and Child Jesus, is intended as a gesture of bringing people closer to God. “This is a Christmas gift given with the purpose of joining mothers and their children. It’s a way to remind that we are united alltogether when listening to the same message of love and hope” commented Fa-

To spread the Gospel in Christmas time

ther Carlos Yrarràzabal, the editorial director of Radio Maria Chile.

The small radios were given this year for the first time in Chile thanks to a donation from Italy, where Radio Maria has its world headquarters. The electronic device received the necessary authorization to be brought and used inside the detention center.

The Mass celebrated in the prison’s Chapel was broadcasted by Radio Maria Chile. The broadcasting took place thanks to volunteers who worked very hard during the Christmas period to allow listeners of Radio Maria to follow the several celebrations of Christmas time.

Broadcasting of this liturgical celebration, which took place during the Vespers of Christmas Eve, has been a tradition of Radio Maria Chile for more than ten years. “It is a Mass

The Pope appoints new cardinals

O that we are very much interested in making it known as it is a very special date for these women, it is a very sad and painful moment in their lives. We consider it is very important for these women to stay with them and – at the same time –we wish to approach them to their families through the radio. All this to say to these women that across the radio someone is thinking of them and praying for them” says Yrarràzabal.

During the Mother’s feast in May and during the children’s feast in August, Radio Maria transmits from the women’s prison to strengthen the religious message among the prisoners. “The hope is that this gesture will allow unity of prison’s inmates with people living outside” said the Parish priest.

n 14th and 15th February next, the Consistory will be held to appoint new cardinals of the Catholic Church. The names of 20 new cardinals (15 are eligible to enter the next Conclave) were announced during the Angelus on 4th January last. They are: Mons. Dominique Mamberti (France), Mons.

Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente (Portugal), Mons. Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel (Ethiopia), Mons.

John Atcherley Dew (New Zealand), Mons. Edoardo Menichelli (Italy), Mons.

Pierre Nguyên Văn Nhon (Vietnam), Mons. Alberto Suárez Inda (Mexico), Mons. Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar), Mons. Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij (Thailand), Mons.

Francesco Montenegro (Italy), Mons. Daniel Fernando Sturla Berhouet (Uruguay), Mons. Ricardo Blázquez Pérez (Spain), Mons. José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán (Panama), Mons. Arlindo Gomes Furtado (Cape Verde), Mons. Soane Patita Paini Mafi (Tonga). 5 Bishops, who have distinguished themselves for their pastoral charity, will also be pointed: Mons. José de Jesús Pimiento Rodríguez, Mons. Luigi De Magistris, Mons. Karl-Josef Rauber, Mons. Luis Héctor Villalba and Mons.

Júlio Duarte Langa.

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The anniversaries of RM around the World The first three months of this year are full of anniversaries for the radio stations: let’s discover them together

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s our World Family grows, the calendar of anniversaries of the presence of Radio Maria worldwide is getting increasingly crowded. These events involve all of us, just like a birthday involves an entire family.

“One cannot understand a Christian alone, just like one cannot understand Jesus Christ without history”, said Pope Francis during his homily on 15th May 2014, observing that “a Christian is a man who remembers the history of his people, he is a man who remembers the journey his people have made, he is a man who remembers his Church”. In the World Family too, each anniversary becomes an opportunity to “remember”, retracing the walk that God has wanted to make with us, remembering that behind each of these dates, there is a small adventure, enthusiasm, sacrifices,

even obstacles which Providence has made it possible to overcome as it saw best. The anniversary of the “mother” of all radio stations also falls within the first two months of the year: on 12th January 1987 the Radio Maria association was founded in Erba, Italy, marking the start of that missionary growth which, after expanding nationwide, has continued to announce conversion to the five continents. On 22nd February 1997, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Radio Maria arrived in Croatia; on 24th January 1999, in Spain. Radio Maria has been present overseas since 1992, but on 23rd January, in New York, Amigos de Radio Maria was set up for the Spanish speaking population. 11th February 2002, liturgical memorial of the Virgin Mary of Lourdes, is a historical date: Radio

Maria arrived in Asia for the first time, in the Philippines, which recently welcomed the Pope! On 1st January 2004, Radio Maria was set up in Sierra Leone, which has recently distinguished itself for the precious contribution in tackling the Ebola emergency. This period also marks two anniversaries in secularized Europe, which is in need of finding its Christian roots: on 15th January 2006, Radio Maria arrived in Hungary and, finally, on 2nd February 2008, in Holland.

Finally, in March, several anniversaries coincide with two important liturgical feasts: on 19th March, the Solemnity of St. Joseph is celebrated in Togo and in the Dominican Republic, where Radio Maria arrived in 1997 and 2007 respectively; and, on 25th March 2006, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is particularly dear to our radio station, Radio Maria was set up in Romania, for both Romanian and Hungarian listeners.

Each anniversary pushes us to renew the memory of what the Lord has given us, to move into the future with hope, nourishing the awareness that He continues to walk by our side… from one end of the earth to the other!

Stefano Chiappalone

The world “clock” of our radio station

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he richness of being a World Family, often makes us acquainted with the different pace and timing of the five continents. This is an advantage which can do no more than increase our desire to be “brothers in Christ”.

If in Europe, for example, the work in the first six months of the year continues at an intensive pace, in South America, thanks mostly to the arrival of the summer season, it is full holiday period. All five continents are ready for the arrival of Lent, to prepare their listeners in the best possible way for the most important celebration of our faith.

I wish you all a Joyous Lenten Walk!

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The Family of Radio Maria in the World

RM Holland

RM Indonesia

RM Gabon

RM Mexico

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WORLD FAMILY OF RADIO MARIA news periodical of the World Family of Radio Maria association

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