"Two years before my ordination, I was stricken with a severe attack of tuberculosis. In that infirmary, I reached the depths of discouragement and hopelessness. But it was there too that I really found Mary. In my darkest hour, I tuned to her for help. She responded with love. I recovered, returned to the seminary and was ordained."
Father Patrick Peyton
 
 

About Us : The Ministries

Family Rosary International

URUGUAY

Uruguay promotes devotion to Our Lady through radio

Latest News

Country Demographics/Culture

Uruguay has the highest literacy rate in South America (96% in 1991). Religion: In 2003 there were approximately 52 % Roman Catholics, 16% Protestants, and 1% Jewish, and 30% non-professing or other. However, less than half of those claiming to be Roman Catholics regularly attend Mass.

Procession of our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Uruguay due to the influence of the colonial period. After independence, anticlerical ideas spread until complete separation of church and state was introduced with the new constitution of 1917. The separation ended religious conflict, and since that time Catholic schools have been allowed to flourish.

Uruguay was once known as the "Switzerland of South America" because of its relative governmental stability, advanced level of economic development, and social peace.

Mass in honor of Pope John Paul II

History of Ministry in Country

For twenty years the Uruguay radio station has dedicated a half hour for “Tiempo de Maria.” The program starts with prayer and meditation as a journey of hope. The focus on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary continues throughout, and the program closes with a prayer or a song to Our Lady and the Heart of Jesus in the name of the Holy Eucharist. Meditations may vary day by day or are consistent with a theme, keeping in mind the events of the Vatican and emphasizing the activity of John Paul II.

Ministry Today

The ministry team consists of four employees and two assistants. There is also a group of more than 20 volunteers who assist when called upon. The radio program is the center of the mission, from which all initiatives and opportunities for action go out. It has a very large and growing audience. There are two radio stations in the interior of the country that broadcast the program daily, and another which broadcasts on Saturdays. The total number of stations transmitting in the country is nine, as of 2005.

An additional 30 minutes on Saturdays is reserved to transmit the programs created by Family Theater Productions titled “La Historia de Quien Soy” and “Historias para mejorar el Mundo.” An annual Mass is celebrated for the day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, following the feast of the Sacred Heart. A second Mass is celebrated in the month of the Rosary. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary who intercedes through the prayer of the Most Holy Rosary.

The Year of the Rosary program achieved notable success, with thirty-five thousand explanatory pamphlets published and delivered to all the bishops in the dioceses, all parishes in Montevideo, and to the Catholic schools in the capital city and other institutes. The demand continues, and many of those wishing to make known the importance Rosary prayer have joined the work of the mission office in Uruguay. Ms. Susana Aresti de Ruiz is the director of the ministry.

TOP OF PAGE