Ave Maria, Florida is an unincorporated community that was founded in 2005 led by Roman Catholic philanthropist Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino’s Pizza and the leader in establishing Ave Maria University and Ave Maria Catholic Church.
Ave Maria University opened its temporary campus in the fall of 2003. Construction on the permanent campus and the town of Ave Maria began in 2005. The town officially opened July of 2007 and the permanent AMU campus welcomed students at the start of the 2007-2008 academic year. A private K-12 school also opened for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Ave Maria Catholic Church was originally established as an “oratory” or a “quasi-parish” by Bishop Frank Dewane. According to canon law, “a quasi-parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful in a particular church, entrusted to a priest as its proper pastor but not yet erected as a parish because of particular circumstances.” The Ave Maria Oratory was dedicated in March 2008 by Bishop Dewane.
Today this is a fairly large church that was very full when we attended Mass. Numerous young families with a lot of kids.
The has a Communion rail but only use the end for those who want to kneel to receive our Lord.
Thank you, Ed!
God’s blessing, Deacon Michael
Amazing! Wish I was there!