Ave Maria Press is commemorating its 150^th anniversary in 2015 with a new look.

An apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Ave Maria Press is unveiling a fresh, new company logo as part of its celebration. The logo reflects Ave’s Marian heritage and devotion, emphasizing Ave (the first word of the “Hail Mary” in Latin) in their name and including a light-blue graphic image of the turning pages of a book.

Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founded Ave with the publication of the first Ave Maria magazine on May 1, 1865, 23 years after he founded the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Sorin wanted the magazine to honor the Virgin Mary, focus on Catholic families, and showcase the best American Catholic writing.

Fr. Sorin himself edited the first issue of the magazine, a 16-page piece. Many had doubts about whether the publication would survive, but it has and, at one time, was the most popular Catholic magazine in the country. Fr. Sorin’s legacy continues today.

“Planning for our anniversary has given all of us at Ave Maria Press a welcome opportunity to step back from our day-to-day work and reflect on the history and legacy of the wonderful publishing ministry that Fr. Sorin founded 150 years ago during a very different era,” said Thomas Grady, publisher of Ave Maria Press. “Fr. Sorin might be mystified by the way we create and distribute our work in a digital era (as I frequently am), but I hope he would recognize that we have remained faithful to our mission to proclaim the gospel, serve the spiritual needs of the church and join the Congregation of Holy Cross as ‘educators in the faith.’”

Rev. Anthony Szakaly, C.S.C., president of the Ave board of directors, agrees.

“Fr. Sorin’s vision of deepening the faith remains the basis for everything that Ave Maria Press does today.”

There will be several events in the coming months to celebrate Ave’s 150^th anniversary, including an open house at our 1865 Moreau Drive, Notre Dame, Indiana, offices on

April 30, 2015. On May 1, the actual date of Ave’s founding by Fr. Sorin, there will be a Mass and dinner at Moreau Seminary on the campus of Notre Dame. The Mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, South Bend (Indiana), with Ave staff and their spouses, board members past and present, and members of the Congregation of Holy Cross in attendance.

In addition, Ave’s staff has compiled a commemorative history that will be published prior to the official anniversary. There will also be special anniversary promotions for customers throughout the year. Find out more at avemariapress.com/anniversary.

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