# Radio Maria

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.
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

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.
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).
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

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
### Radio stations in Europe

| 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 | Croatian | http://www.radiomarija.hr/ | FM in Zagreb, Split and Virovitica | 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 |
| 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 and Moldova | Romania |
| Romania | Mária Rádió Erdély | Hungarian | http://www.radiomaria.ro/ | FM in Transylvania | Romania |
| 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 |
| Serbia | Mária Rádió Szerbia | Hungarian | http://www.mariaradio.rs/ | FM in some cities, mainly in Vojvodina, but also in the south and southeast of the country | Serbia |
| Slovakia | Mária Rádió Felvidék | Hungarian | 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

| 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 |
| Philippines | Radyo Maria Pilipinas | Filipino | http://www.radiomaria.ph/ | FM in 4 cities, mainly on Luzon Island; cable coverage in selected areas, Cignal Channel 315 | Philippines |
| Middle East | Radio Mariam | Arabic | http://www.radiomariam.org/ | Internet radio | Middle East |

### Radio stations in Oceania

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

### Radio stations in Africa

| 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 | French | http://www.radiomaria.bi/ | FM in major cities | Burundi |
| Cameroon | Radio Maria Cameroon | French | http://www.radiomaria.cm/ | | Cameroon |
| Central African Republic | Radio Maria Centrafrique | French | 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 | French | https://www.radiovoixdelapaix.org/ | FM in major cities (Conakry 100,7 FM) | Guinea |
| Ivory Coast | Radio Maria Côte d'Ivoire | French | 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 | English | https://www.radiomaria.co.ls/ | FM national coverage | Lesotho |
| Liberia | Radio Maria Liberia | English | https://www.radiomaria.com.lr/ | | Liberia |
| Madagascar | Radio Maria Madagascar | French | http://www.radiomaria.mg/ | | Madagascar |
| Malawi | Radio Maria Malawi | Chichewa Chiyao Chitumbuka English | 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/ | FM in major cities | 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 | Sierra Leone |
| South Africa | Radio Veritas | English | 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/ | FM in major cities | Togo |
| Uganda | Radio Maria Uganda | English Luganda | http://www.radiomaria.ug/ | FM in major cities | 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

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

## Programming

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

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. 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.