Italy – Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga’s leadership inspires the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and the Catholic Music Awards

28 July 2025

(ANS – Rome) – Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, a Salesian and prominent Latin American figure in evangelization, has been one of the main driving forces behind the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and the Catholic Music Awards, a groundbreaking event that honors artists who spread the Gospel through music worldwide. His prophetic vision and pastoral commitment have been crucial in encouraging a Church that is present and vibrant in digital environments.

Catholic Music Awards saw unprecedented participation, with 1,452 songs from around the world evaluated by 68 judges and divided into 19 categories ranging across genres, styles and pastoral purposes, recognising the artistic talent, technical quality and spiritual impact of the works in competition.

The award ceremony for the first edition of the During the opening ceremony in Rome, the cardinal declared: “Digital mission is not an option, but a pastoral urgency.” With enthusiasm, he encouraged young evangelizers to “not be afraid to be light in the midst of algorithms,” sowing beauty, hope, and joy through contemporary languages. His words were warmly received by Catholic musicians, influencers, and communicators from across the globe.

Inspired by Don Bosco’s charism, this international gathering is not only a celebration of artistic talent but also a pastoral milestone: music and digital media as legitimate and effective paths of evangelization, especially in the context of the 2025 Jubilee. Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga’s testimony affirms that the Church is also called to go forth into the digital peripheries.

I Catholic Music Awards hanno visto una partecipazione senza precedenti, con ben 1452 canzoni da tutto il mondo che sono state valutate da 68 giurati, e suddivise in 19 categorie che hanno spaziato tra generi, stili e finalità pastorali, riconoscendo il talento artistico, la qualità tecnica e l’impatto spirituale delle opere in gara.

The award ceremony for the first edition of the Catholic Music Awards was held on Sunday, 27 July 2025, at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome and remains available to view here.

RELATED ARTICLE(S)

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".