Ave Maria is located in Florida, near Naples, approximately a three-hour drive from Miami and Orlando. It is a unique town entirely dedicated to Our Lady.

Conceived by the visionary Tom Monaghan, Ave Maria was founded with the purpose of being a spiritual refuge and an educational community rooted in the Catholic faith.

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In Ave Maria, every urban element reflects a genuine commitment to biblical values and teachings, creating an environment where faith is present in daily life. From the university to the museums, from the town’s layout to its majestic central church, everything was thoughtfully designed in devotion to Mary, making each space a living celebration of the spirituality that sustains the community.

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In November 2023, the pilgrim image of the Círio of Nazaré, brought from Belém do Pará, visited Ave Maria with the missionary purpose of bringing Marian devotions closer to communities around the world.