Ave Maria Press
A Catholic publishing house founded at the University of Notre Dame in 1865.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Ave Maria Press is a Catholic publishing house associated with the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. It was established on May 1, 1865, by Edward Sorin, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross and the founder of Notre Dame. Sorin created the press primarily to publish Ave Maria, a periodical intended for Catholic families and focused on devotion to the Virgin Mary as well as Catholic religious writing. The press began after Sorin acquired a printing press in Chicago and installed it at Brownson Hall on the Notre Dame campus. During its early years, the operation relied substantially on members of the Holy Cross community. Holy Cross brothers worked in typesetting and press operations, while the Sisters of the Holy Cross contributed to editorial and production work. This institutional setting gave Ave Maria Press a distinctly religious and educational character from the beginning. Ave Maria magazine became the press's central early publication. Neal Henry Gillespie served as editor from 1868 until his death in 1874. Sorin then placed editorial management in the hands of Gillespie's sister, Angela Gillespie, a Civil War nurse and an important figure in the publication's early development. In 1875, Daniel Hudson became editor, remaining in that position until 1930. The magazine published Catholic material by a range of contributors, including Orestes Brownson, Robert Hugh Benson, and James Gibbons. By 1900, Ave Maria had become the largest English-language Catholic magazine in the world, according to the reference account. The press also broadened its output during this period, publishing books and pamphlets in addition to the magazine. Its publishing activity therefore developed from a devotional periodical into a broader Catholic book and religious-printing operation. Ave Maria magazine continued publication until 1970, when it was discontinued because of declining circulation. Following the end of the magazine, Ave Maria Press concentrated exclusively on Catholic books. Its best-known commercial title is Joseph M. Champlin's Together for Life, a guide for couples preparing for a Catholic wedding. The press remains located on the University of Notre Dame campus and continues to operate as a Catholic book publisher.
History
Ave Maria Press was founded on May 1, 1865, by Edward Sorin, a Holy Cross priest who had established the University of Notre Dame. Its original purpose was to publish Ave Maria, a Catholic magazine created for families and centered on Marian devotion and Catholic writing. Sorin purchased a printing press in Chicago and installed it in Brownson Hall at Notre Dame, establishing the press within the university's religious and educational environment. The early operation drew heavily on the labor and expertise of the Holy Cross community. Holy Cross brothers carried out much of the typographic and press work, while the Sisters of the Holy Cross supported editorial and production activities. Neal Henry Gillespie was editor of Ave Maria magazine from 1868 until his death in 1874. Afterward, Angela Gillespie, his sister and a former Civil War nurse, was placed in charge of editorial management. In 1875, Daniel Hudson assumed the editorship and held it through 1930. The magazine also published work by Catholic and religious writers such as Orestes Brownson, Robert Hugh Benson, and James Gibbons. Ave Maria expanded substantially during the late nineteenth century. By 1900, it was described as the largest English-language Catholic magazine worldwide. The press also began issuing books and pamphlets, gradually extending its role beyond periodical publishing. This diversification created the basis for its later identity as a Catholic book publisher. The magazine continued for more than a century but was discontinued in 1970 after circulation declined. Ave Maria Press subsequently focused solely on Catholic books. Among its most successful publications is Together for Life by Joseph M. Champlin, a practical guide for couples planning a Catholic wedding. The press remains based on Moreau Drive at the University of Notre Dame campus and continues its Catholic publishing mission.
- 1970
Ave Maria magazine is discontinued
[1]The magazine ended publication after circulation declined, leaving Ave Maria Press focused on Catholic books.
- 1900
Ave Maria becomes a leading English-language Catholic magazine
[1]By 1900, Ave Maria was described as the largest English-language Catholic magazine worldwide, while the press was also issuing books and pamphlets.
- 1875
Daniel Hudson begins long editorial tenure
[1]Daniel Hudson became editor of Ave Maria magazine and remained in the role until 1930.
- 1868
Neal Henry Gillespie becomes magazine editor
[1]Neal Henry Gillespie began serving as editor of Ave Maria magazine, a position he held until his death in 1874.
- 1865
Ave Maria Press is founded
[1]Edward Sorin founded the press on May 1, 1865, at the University of Notre Dame to publish the Ave Maria Catholic magazine.
Products and positioning
Catholic publishing
Catholic magazine · 1865
Ave Maria magazine
The press's founding periodical, launched for Catholic families and devoted to Marian themes and Catholic writing. It was the central publishing project of Ave Maria Press for much of its early history and became a major English-language Catholic magazine before ending publication in 1970 after circulation declined.
Marriage-preparation book
Together for Life
A Catholic guide by Joseph M. Champlin for couples preparing for marriage and a Catholic wedding. The title is identified as Ave Maria Press's bestselling book and represents the press's post-magazine focus on practical Catholic books.
Religious publishing
Catholic books and pamphlets
Ave Maria Press expanded beyond magazine publishing by issuing Catholic books and pamphlets. After the magazine closed, these formats became the core of the company's publishing activity.
Sources2 sources
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