Radio Maria Cape Verde Lauded for over Three Decades of Evangelization

Sao Vicente, 19 December, 2025 / 10:19 PM

The Director of Radio Maria Cape Verde has praised the Catholic radio station for its enduring role in spreading faith, nurturing hope, and uniting people in prayer across the island nation for over 30 years.

Speaking on Wednesday, December 17, during Mass that marked the 33rd anniversary of the Radio station that is part of the Italy-based World Family of Radio Maria (WFRM), Fr. Frei Valter de Pina described Radio Maria as “a radio of hope” that he said continues to touch hearts and lead many to the Lord through prayer, evangelization, and conversion. 

“Radio Maria is a radio that instills hope in hearts, unites people in prayer, has led many to the Lord, many to conversion, and will continue in this service,” Fr. de Pina said during his homily.

Reflecting on the station’s origins, he noted that Radio Maria Cape Verde was born “in the heart of Advent, a time of waiting and a time of hope,” adding that the radio's spiritual foundation continues to shape its mission more than three decades later. 

According to the Priest, the radio has remained faithful to its calling by strengthening the faith of listeners through consistent proclamation of the Word of God.

The Mass was celebrated at the station’s studio and broadcast live, drawing journalists, staff, and listeners who followed the celebration on air.

Addressing those present at the anniversary Mass and the wider audience, the Director emphasized that the mission of Radio Maria is inseparable from evangelization. 

Radio Maria, he said, instills hope in hearts and has the mission of evangelizing.” He added that Catholic communication plays a central role in keeping the faithful connected to Christ.

Fr. de Pina further described the station as an instrument of unity, noting that over the years it had brought people together across communities. 

“It is a radio that has united many people, touched many hearts, led many to the Lord and to conversion, and will continue in this service,” he said.

Highlighting its spiritual identity, the Catholic Priest said Radio Maria is fundamentally “a radio of the Word, the Word of God.” 

He explained, “Here we learn the Word; here we are formed by the Word of God,” underscoring the station’s role as a channel of evangelization and Christian formation.

The Radio traces its roots to 1992, following the approval of Cape Verde’s new Constitution.

Founded by Capuchin Friars, the station was initially known as Radio Nova before becoming Radio Nova de Maria, and later Radio Maria Cape Verde. It was the country’s first private radio station in the country.

Drawing a parallel between Advent and the station’s mission, Fr. de Pina said, “In this time of Advent, nothing is better than to look at the radio with the same eyes with which we look to Jesus, reinforcing Radio Maria’s vocation as an instrument of faith, hope, and spiritual renewal.”

He expressed confidence that the station will continue to proclaim the Gospel, strengthen believers, and keep hope alive.