R.I.P. Emanuele Ferrario – NEW: Funeral Updates

Founder of Radio Maria died on 8 July

Update: Please tune-in for the live broadcasting of Ferrario’s funeral. There will be a rosary at 1.30pm and the funeral will take place from 2pm – 3pm. 

Emanuele Ferrario, originally from the Province of Varese, Lombardy was an Italian entrepreneur working in the dairy industry. During the Summer of 1986, he learned that a parish radio from the small town of Erba was broadcasting the messages of our lady from Medjugorje.

Medjugorje had become a place of pilgrimage since 1981 when the Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared there to six teenagers. In 1984 Emanuele visited Medjugorje with his wife where he had a profound experience of Christ.

Emanuele contacted the parish priest of Erba, Fr Livio Fanzaga and this creative partnership between Fr Livio, a prophetic voice within the Catholic community, and the entrepreneurial Emanuele meant that on the 12th January 1987 the Radio Maria association was established. This was the first stage in creating a national FM Italian broadcasting station for conversion with a broadcasting schedule based on prayer, evangelisation, and human promotion, supported by volunteers. From the beginning Emanuele was determined to trust in Divine providence and no advertising was allowed. Within three years Radio Maria was broadcasting across Italy.

Emanuele dedicated his life to this great project of evangelisation and, after having established the network of Italian relay stations between 1990 and 1992 the project became international with the birth of Radio Maria Spain. Today the World Family of Radio Maria numbers 78 stations, reaching 80 countries in 4 continents.

Emanuele travelled extensively and tirelessly promoting Radio Maria as a medium for mission and on one of his early trips to Africa he contracted Malaria severely affecting his health and permanently damaging his lungs. Although he had poor health which restricted his movements, his energy and zeal for the Lord were undiminished.

People talk about standing on the shoulders of giants and Emanuele, although weakened physically was a giant in faith and vision and without him there would be no Radio Maria. He was so much more than just a founding father.
Emanuele died in the afternoon of 8th July. He was 91.

May Our Blessed Lady intercede for him and may he receive a generous heavenly reward for his great labours.

Radio Maria Italy reported on their website:

Our dear EMANUELE FERRARIO
LEFT US THIS AFTERNOON.

He has been working for RADIO MARIA until the end.

THANKS EMANUELE for responding to the calling, taking Radio Maria to Italy and the World.

SEE YOU IN HEAVEN. ?

P. LIVIO
VITTORIO
ROBERTA and
All the family of RADIO MARIA