Periodical of the World Family Radio Maria Association
Year IV – Issue 17 July - August - September 2016
Laying the Cornerstone for Radio Maria at Kibeho, Rwanda
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n 15 September 2016, the cornerstone marking the foundation of the Radio Maria studios at Kibeho will be laid. Among other things, Kibeho’s station has promoted the devotion to Mary and presents an important opportunity for encouraging Marian spirituality and furthering the wishes of the Mother of God. In Kibeho, Mary reminds us of the need for prayer, conversion, and sacrifice. It shows her desire to be near to us. The laying of the cornerstone is yet another chapter in Kibeho’s history. Radio Maria has already proven itself to be a significant factor in spreading the Gospel message throughout the world. Radio Maria is currently heard in over 70 countries. In Africa, it is present in 21 countries, reaching more than 130 million people. The studios in Kibeho will provide the means to quickly spread Our Lady’s message, so that it might reach the sick, prisoners, the homebound, and everyone spread throughout Africa and beyond. The laying of the corner-
during this Year of Mercy. The many delegates from all over Africa will then have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Kibeho to experience the maternal care of the Mother of Mercy. Kibeho is the remote village where Mary appeared to three school girls from 1981 to 1989. In 2001, the Church declared the apparition to be authentic. Kibeho has become a famous site of pilgrimage for worship, prayer, and many other spiritual exercises. Fr. Charles Mutabaruka
Radio Maria The Kibeho Project pg.
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Holy See Mother Teresa is a Saint
The land of Kibeho on which will be built the studios of Radio Maria. stone will take place after the closing ceremony of the Divine Mercy Conference for Africa. The conference, whose theme is “Divine
Mercy: Hope of New Evangelization in Africa”, was organized to provide the opportunity for Africans to reflect on God’s Mercy
Radio Maria The World Youth Day
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WF RADIO MARIA News
July - August - September 2016
Mother Teresa of Calcutta is Canonized
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he canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta was certainly a highlight of this Jubilee of Mercy. This small nun of Albanian origin called herself “a pencil in God’s hands”. Only 19 years after her death, Pope Francis has added her name to the ranks of the Saints in Paradise. St. Peter’s Square was awash with Indian and Albanian flags for the celebration. The World Family’s editorial offices, which are just a few steps from the square, hosted three live links of the event. Listeners of Radio Maria India, Malta, and Radio Mariam were able to follow live coverage of the celebration of the Mass
with commentary in local languages thanks to the correspondents who came to Rome for the event. A group of pilgrims from Radio Maria Albania, accompanied by Director Fr. Prenke, spent the night under the stars awaiting the gates to open and was able to have a central position in the square for the celebration. A few days before the canonization, Pope Francis celebrated the Jubilee of Volunteers and Workers of Mercy. On that occasion, our own dear Fr. Livio composed a prayer dedicated to all of Radio Maria’s volunteers around the world. Daniele Trenca
The Correspondents of RM India in Rome while transmitting the Mass of the canonization.
The Pilgrims of Radio Maria Albania who attended the ceremony.
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July - August - September 2016
News RADIO MARIA WF
WYD: Youth with Pope Francis under the Sign of Mercy
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very World Youth Day is always a celebration, a celebration of faith, emotion, smiles, physical weariness, prayer, and fellowship. This includes the latest WYD that was just held in Krakow, Poland from 26 to 31 July, an event involving 1,500,000 youth from over 155 nations all united under the guidance of the Holy Father. Prayer and listening were the focus of the spiritual events, music, and conviviality that animated the life of the Polish city, which joyfully hosted the world’s youth. From his arrival at the airport to his last greeting to the volunteers, the Pope’s words represented encouragement for the pilgrims’ faith. The Pope’s homilies and speeches particularly highlighted the theme of mercy and the need for
the younger generations to “put things in play”. On 30 July, during the Eucharistic celebration from the sanctuary dedicated to St. John Paul II, Pope Francis said: “It might be said that the Gospel, the living book of God’s mercy that must be continually read and reread, still has many blank pages left. It remains an open book that we are called to write in the same style, by the works of mercy we practice. Let me ask you this: What are the pages of your books like? Are they written in every day? Do some have writing and others not? Are they blank? The Mother of God helps us in this.” The World Family team covered the event live in different languages, offering over 400 photos, 100 audio and video files, translations of all the official documents,
and broadcasts with various local stations that wanted to offer a direct experience of the events to their listeners. The next World Youth Day is scheduled for Panama in 2019. Raffaele Galati
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July - August - September 2016
WF RADIO MARIA News
The Radio Stations’ Anniversaries in September and October September
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Under the protection of the Virgin of the Rosary, 7 October, Radio Maria arrived in Ecuador (1998) while on the symbolic date of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas, 12 October, Radio Maria, already present in the United States, extended its presence in Houston, Texas (2003). That same day marks the foundation
of Radio Maria Ivory Coast (2011). Finally, on 31 October, Radio Maria’s voice of peace reached the troubled Central African Republic (2007). Until next issue, when we will continue to joyfully celebrate this family that is continuously growing to bring a voice of hope everywhere there is a soul thirsting for God! Stefano Chiappalone
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Radio Maria Nicaragua was born on 4 September 2001, constituting a new element in the Marian map of Latin America. Other September birthdays fall on the three Marian feasts of the month: 8 September, the Feast of the Birth of Mary, marks the births of Radio Maria Guatemala (1997) and Switzerland (2010). 12 September, the Feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin, is the birthdate of Radio Maria Austria (1998) and Costa Rica (2004). Finally, the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, 15 September, is the birthdate of Radio Maria El Salvador (2001).
July - August - September 2016
News RADIO MARIA WF
Director and Editorial Assistants Meet in Costa Rica
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his August, in Costa Rica, we held an important meeting emphasizing reflection, communion, and communication, all key to the life of Radio Maria. They are key in forming the charisma of this remarkable Radio, which takes unique shape according to the needs of each country in which it broadcasts. Programming is our main product, reflecting the grandeur of the Good News so that it may reach all, in homes, hospitals, factories… It reaches the hearts of children, young persons, adults, the elderly, workers… It reaches into the lives of those who are alone, sick, depressed, sad, happy, those who are in need of hope… In short, it reaches those in need of God. It presents a mosaic of prayer, evangelization, and the promotion of the human person so that hearts may be brought closer to God. Our programming works thanks to all of our volunteers, collaborators in evangelizing. Fr. José Antonio Espinoza Director, RM Nicaragua
Training Course for New Directors A three-day formation course was held in Kiev, Ukraine for Radio Maria’s new European directors. The participants were the new directors from France, Latvia, Hungarian-speaking Romania, and the future director of Radio Maria Belarus. The training allowed the participants to reflect on the director’s role as the main representative of each Radio Maria around the world. Also discussed were the importance of programming, the values of each Radio Maria, and the importance that the radio has recently been acquiring since moving beyond just audio to include newsletters, the website, and social networks. Daniele Trenca
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July - August - September 2016
WF RADIO MARIA News
A Prayer for Peace
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t every Mass, we hear Jesus’ words: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” In this restless and ruthless world that we live in, we see the absence of peace all around us. What can we change? So small and insignificant, what can we possibly do to make a difference? Saint Mother Teresa said: “I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”. We can start a change with ourselves and make peace with our parents, friends, spouses, and we can use the tools we
Pope to Visit Georgia and Azerbaijan have at our disposal to become messengers of peace. Our editorial staff started a daily prayer for peace on this first of August. Every day at 15:30, after the chaplet of divine mercy, we dedicate a half hour of our program to prayers for peace on earth, with volunteers, colleagues, and friends. The power of prayer is far stronger if we pray together. We are part
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of a big family, a World Family, and I would like to use this opportunity to invite and encourage you all, to join us in this prayer every day. Let’s pray together so that the power of love can overcome fear and hatred. Let’s say together: “Jesus, I trust in you”. Shalom! Szög Ádám Coordinator, Radio Maria Serbia – Hungarian language
Periodical of the WFRM Association
Pope Francis has stated that the purpose of his upcoming apostolic visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan, is “ever in the spirit of dialogue with other religions and cultures, to both recognize the ancient Christian roots present in those lands and to encourage the hopes for and paths of peace.” It will be a short trip, this coming 30 September to 2 October, but one full of pastoral and spiritual commitments. The pontiff chose the theme “Pax vobis” (Jn 20:19–29), peace be with you, to especially emphasize the message of the sweetness of Divine Mercy. It is a strong appeal for reconciliation in the world, particularly in the Caucasian region that has suffered crippling, bloody religious and political conflict for centuries. Michela Burdino
Editorial Office: p. Livio Fanzaga; p. Francisco Palacios; Stefano Chiappalone; Raffaele Galati; Daniele Trenca; Michela Burdino; p. Charles Mutabaruka.
Via Rusticucci, 13 00193 Rome roma.wf@radiomaria.org www.radiomaria.org The contents of this periodical
(texts and photos) may be used in full or partially on the websites, newsletters, social networks of RM. Always mention the source “WFRM News”.