The Founding of
Even after more than 150 years, Ave Maria Press remains committed to the core mission set by Rev. Edward Sorin, CSC, in 1865 as he established the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States.
Ave was the third apostolate of Holy Cross founded in the US by the missionary priest, following the University of Notre Dame and St. Joseph’s Parish in South Bend, Indiana. Fr. Sorin started The Ave Maria magazine to honor Mary, focus on Catholic families, and showcase the best American Catholic writing. The first issue was a 16-page weekly edited by Fr. Sorin himself. Many had doubts about whether the publication would survive because of the fate of other Catholic periodicals, as well as the mainly poor, immigrant makeup of the American Church, but The Ave Maria did thrive for more than 100 years and at one time was the most popular Catholic magazine in the country.
Our Expansion
Under the leadership of Rev. Daniel E. Hudson, CSC, who served as the third publisher from 1875 to 1930, the magazine grew from 10,000 subscribers to 35,000. It boasted contributions from every important Catholic writer of the time, as well as Holy Cross religious that included Revs. J. A. Zahm, CSC, and John Cavanaugh, CSC. Under Fr. Hudson, Ave began publishing hardcover books of inspirational Catholic stories.
Contributions of the Holy Cross
Continuing
Rev. John L. Reedy, editor and publisher from 1955 to 1983, oversaw the last issue of The Ave Maria in 1970. He wrote in that issue, “The identity of Ave Maria magazine submerges itself in a new effort to serve the religious needs to today’s audience.”
During the 105-year run of the magazine, Ave also published books and pamphlets, a program it began to develop more fully in the 1960s. When declining circulation forced the magazine to cease publication in 1970, book publishing was pushed into high gear. Over the years, Ave Maria Press has published such important Catholic authors as Mike Aquilina, John Bergsma, Joseph Champlin, Tom Corcoran, Brian Doyle, Thomas Green, Sr. Miriam J. Heidland, Lisa M. Hendey, Francis MacNutt, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Christine Valters Paintner, Michael Pennock, Rev. Stephen Rossetti, Joyce Rupp, Bob Schuchts, Mother Teresa, Brandon Vogt, Michael White, Robert Wicks, and Macrina Wiederkehr.
