RADIO MARIA was founded as a parish radio station in 1983, in Arcellasco d’Erba, in the province of Como in the Diocese of Milan. In 1987 the RADIO MARIA Association was founded making RADIO MARIA independent from the parish. In 1990 RADIO MARIA became a national radio. The following years, by God’s grace it began expanding to other countries. In 1998 the World Family of RADIO MARIA was formed to ensure promotion, sharing, and development of the Radio Maria Project worldwide.

RADIO MARIA FOUNDATION INC., was founded when Fr. Melvin P. Castro, with the blessing of Bishop Florentino F. Cinense (Bishop of Tarlac), requested the World Family of RADIO MARIA to put up a radio station in the Philippines. On February 11, 2002 RADIO MARIA FOUNDATION INC. was born. Its main studio was constructed in Sunrise Subdivision, Maliwalo, Tarlac City.

In 2007 RADIO MARIA obtained its national franchise. Our efforts now are focused on making RADIO MARIA a true national radio station. Tuguegarao City, Santiago City and Olongapo City became the first focus of expansion. The dream of making Radio Maria a national radio station was fulfilled when the newly constructed repeater station in Tuguegarao City and Santiago City were inaugurated on June 19, 2010 and February 19, 2011 respectively. The occasion was graced by Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan (Archbishop of Tuguegarao), Bishop Joseph Nacua (Bishop of Isabela), Bishop Florentino Cinense (Bishop of Tarlac) and the new members of the Board of Trustees (Joy Catalina Gallardo, Fr. Jay Policarpio, Maritel Balingit, Allen
Galang and Dr. Mary Ann Enriquez).

Currently, Radio Maria is present in more than 50 countries.